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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



GEMS OF WISDOM, 



FROM 



Bible, Literature and Proverbs. 



3B£ Militant J* Sbearer* 



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GEMS OF WISDOM FROM BIBLE, LITERA- 
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RICHARDSON, SMITH & COMPANY, 

PUBLISHERS, 

135 Fifth Avenue, New York. 






GEMS OF WISDOM, 



BIBLE, LITERATURE AND PROVERBS, 

Arranged Topically for Mpral Lessons in 
School and Home. 



William J. Shearer, A. M., Pd. D., 

Superintendent of Schools of the City of Elizabeth 
and County of Union, N. J. 



New York: 

Richardson, Smith & Co., 

135 Fifth Avenue, 

1904. 






\ 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 

Two Oooies Received 

MAY 2 1904 

Copvrlrrbt Entry 

CLASS «- XXc. No. 

2 1 o U 

COPY B 



Copyright, 1904, 
By William J. Shearer. 



TO 

il&B flbotber* 



PREFACE. 



Although the public schools have no right to 
teach sectarianism, it is their duty to provide proper 
moral training; as the life and prosperity of the 
country depends upon the moral training received 
by its embryo citizens who will soon be called upon 
to shape its destiny. 

Because of its value as a text book of morals, 
literature and history, many believe the Bible should 
long retain its position in the schools. 

Not without reason, many object to the reading 
of the Bible in the schools on the ground that 
teachers frequently read portions which are objec- 
tionable. All but the most careless teachers aim 
to omit certain portions; yet even the most intelli- 
gent teacher cannot be expected to always avoid 
those parts which may give offense to some sect. 

If for no other reason, press of work causes 
many teachers to read from the Bible without tak- 
ing time to consider the selections carefully. For 
this, and for other reasons, many do read those 
parts to which objection may rightly be made by 
Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and others. 

The object of the preparation of this book is to 
furnish a number of select Bible readings to which 



8 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

no reasonable objection can be made; to arrange 
these topically, that the lessons may be the more 
deeply impressed ; to select from the world of litera- 
ture and proverbs of all nations the best expres- 
sions of all ages upon each theme. By thus focus- 
ing the brightest rays of the Bible, literature and 
proverbs upon each subject the moral lesson may 
be burned into the heart and conscience of the child 
as in no other way. 

W. J. S. 



CONTENTS. 



I. 
II. 
m. 

IV. 

v. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

x. 

XI. 
XII. 

XIII. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI. 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 

XXI. 

XXII. 

XXIII. 

XXIV. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 

XXVIII. 

XXIX. 

XXX. 

XXXI. 



Adversity, 

Advice, 

Afflictions, . 

Almsgiving, 

Ambition, 

Anger, 

Benevolence, 

Bible, 

Blessed, 

Blessings, 

Boasting, 

Brotherly Love, 

Business, 

Calamity, 

Cares, 

Character, 

Charity, 

Cheerfulness, 

Children, 

Commandments, 

Conduct, 

Confession, 

Contentment, 

Conscience, 

Conversation, 

Covetousness, . 

Debts, 

Deceit, 

Difficulties, 

Diligence, . 

Disobedience, 



PAGE 

13 
*5 
*7 
19 
21 

23 
25 
26 
29 
30 
3i 
33 
35 
36 
38 
40 
42 

44 
46 

49 
<5i 

53 
55 
57 
59 
62 

63 

66 
67 
69 
71 



io GEMS OF WISDOM. 

XXXII. Dress, 73 

XXXIII. Drunkenness, 75 

XXXIV. Duty, 76 

XXXV. Early Rising, 79 

XXXVI. Earnestness, 80 

XXXVII. Encouragement, 82 

XXXVIII. Envy, 83 

XXXIX. Eternity, 85 

XL. Example, 88 

XLI. Excuses, 90 

XLII. Failure, . 92 

XLIII. Faith, 95 

XLIV. Faithfulness 95 

XLV. Family, 97 

XLVI. Father— God, 98 

XLVII. Fearing God, 100 

XLVIII. Fidelity, . . . . . . . 101 

XLIX. Flattery, 104 

L. Foretastes of Glory, . , . . . 106 

LI. Forgetting God, . . . . . .107 

LI I. Forgiveness, 108 

LIII. Friendship, no 

LIV. Frugality, 112 

LV. Gifts, 114 

LVI. God, 116 

LVII. Godliness, 118 

LVIII. Grace, 119 

LIX. Gratitude, 121 

LX. Happiness, 122 

LXI. Haste, 125 

LXII. Hearing the Word, 126 

LX1II. Heaven, . 128 

LXIV. High Ideals, 131 

LXV. Honesty, 132 

LXVI. Honor 134 

LXVII. Hope, .136 

LXVIII. Hospitality, 138 



CONTENTS. ii 

LXIX Humility, 140 

1/XX. Humility and Pride Contrasted, . . 142 

LXXI. Hypocrisy, . . . . .144 

LXXII. Idleness, 146 

LXXIII. Idle Words 148 

LXXIV. Ignorance, 149 

LXXV. Industry, 151 

LXXVI. Ingratitude, 153 

LXXVIL Iniquity, 155 

LXXVIII. Intentions, 157 

LXXIX. Joseph Sold Into Slavery, . . . .159 

LXXX. Journeying, 161 

LXXXI. Joy, 162 

LXXXII. Justice, 164 

IyXXXIII. Kindness, 166 

LXXXIV. Knowledge, 168 

I.XXXV. Labor, 170 

LXXXVI. Law, 173 

LXXXVII. Liberty, 175 

LXXXVIII Life, 177 

LXXXIX. Light, . . . . , . .179 

XC. Little Things, 181 

XCI. Long-Suffering, 183 

XCII. Love, 185 

XCIII. Meditation, .187 

XCIV. Meekness, 189 

XCV. Mercy, . • . . . . .191 

XCVL Mother, 193 

XCVII. Murmuring, 195 

XCVIII. Names, 197 

XCIX. Obedience, . . , . . .198 

C. Obedience to God, .... 200 

CI. Omniscience of God, 202 

CII. Opportunity, 204 

CIII. Parental Affection, 206 

CIV. Parental Love, 208 

CV. Patience, 212 



12 



GEMS OF WISDOM. 



CVI. Patriotism, 214 

CVIL Peace, 216 

CVIII. Perfection, 218 

CIX. Perseverance, 219 

CX. Pharaoh's Dream, 222 

CXI. Power of God, . . . ' . . .225 

CXII. Praise, 227 

CXIII. Prayer 229 

CXIV. Presumption, 231 

CXV. Pride, .232 

CXVI. Procrastination, 234 

CXVII. Providence, 236 

CXVIII. Punishment, 238 

CXIX. Religion, 239 

CXX. Restitution, 241 

CXXI. Riches, 243 

CXXII. Sabbath, 245 

CXXIII. Shepherd, The 246 

CXXIV. Slackness, ...... 248 

CXXV. Sleep, 249 

CXXVI. Slothful, . . . . . . 251 

CXXVII. Snares, 252 

CXXVIII. Sower, Parable of 254 

CXXIX. Stability, 256 

CXXX. Stars, 257 

CXXXI. Superiority of Man, 259 

CXXXII. Tongue, ....... 261 

CXXXIII. Usefulness, 263 

CXXXIV. Watchfulness, . . ... 264 

CXXXV. Woe for the Wicked, 256 

CXXXVI. Wisdom Given, 268 

CXXXVII. Youth, A Call To 271 



ADVERSITY. 

BIBLE. 

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou 
hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my 
soul in adversities. — Psa. xxxi:7. 

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gath- 
ered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered 
themselves together against me, and I knew it not; 
they did tear me, and ceased not. — Psa. xxxv:iS. 

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is 
born for adversity. — Prov. xvii:i7- 

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength 
is small. — Prov. xxiv.io. 

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day 
of adversity consider : God also hath set the one over 
against the other, to the end that man should find 
nothing after him.- — Eccl. vii:i4. 

And though the Lord give you the bread of 
adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not 
thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, 
but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. — Isa. xxx:20. 

literature. 

In this wild world the fondest and the best 
Are the most tried, most troubled, and distress'd. 

Crabbe. 
The good are better made by ill: — 
As odours crushed are sweeter still! 

Rogers. 



14 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

A thousand years scarce serve to form a State; 
An hour may lay it in the dust; and when 
Can Man its shatter'd splendour renovate, 
Recall its virtues back, and vanquish Time and Fate? 

Byron. 
Sweet are the uses of adversity, 
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous, 
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head; 
And this our life, exempt from public haunt, 
Find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 
And good in everything. Shakespeare. 

A lily said to a threatening cloud 

That in sternest garb arrayed him, 
"You have taken my lord, the Sun, away 

And I know not where you have laid him." 

It folded its leaves, and trembled sore 
As the hours of darkness pressed it, 

But at morn, like a bird, in beauty shone, 
For with pearls the dews had dressed it. 

Then it felt ashamed of its fretful thought, 
And fain in the dust would hide it, 

For the night of weeping had jewels brought, 
Which the pride of day denied it. 

Sigoumey. 

PROVERBS. 

He who hath no cross will have no crown. 

He who swells in prosperity will shrink in ad- 
versity. 

Heaven often smiles in mercy though the blow 
be severe. 

Adversity borrows its sharpest stings from our 
impatience. 

He who has not known adversity has seen but 
half of the world. 



ADVICE. 15 

Adversity exasperates fools, dejects cowards, 
and draws out the faculties of the wise. 

II. 
ADVICE. 

BIBIX 

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will 
teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he 
that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may 
see good ? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips 
from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do 
good ; seek peace and pursue it ; the eyes of the Lord 
are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto 
their cry. The face of the Lord is against them 
that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them 
from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord 
heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken 
heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 
Many are the afflictions of the righteous : But the 
Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth 
all his bones: Not one of them is broken. Evil 
shall slay the wicked : and they that hate the right- 
eous shall be desolate. The Lord redeemeth the 
soul of his servants: and none of them that trust 
in him shall be desolate. — Psalm xxxiv: 11-22. 

LITERATURE. 
Sometimes there is not less ability in knowing 
how to use than in giving good advice. 

La Rochefoucauld. 
Do not take a blind guide nor a bad adviser. 
Let no man presume to give advice to others 
that has not first given good counsel to himself. 

Seneca. 



1 



16 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

For by what I could observe in many occur- 
rences of our lives, that which we called giving 
advice was properly taking an occasion to show 
our own wisdom at another's expense. 

Lord Shaftsbury. 
He who can take advice is sometimes superior 
to him who can give it. Von Knebel. 

Let no man value at a little price 
A virtuous woman's counsel ; her winged spirit 
Is feathered often times with heavenly words, 
And, like her beauty, ravishing and pure. 

Chapman. 
Give thy thoughts no tongue, 
Nor any unproportioned thought his act. 
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. 
The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, 
Grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel; 
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment 
Of each new-hatched, unfledged comrade. Beware 
Of entrance to a quarrel; but, being in, 
Bear it, that the opposer may beware of thee. 
Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice: 
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment. 
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, 
But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy; 
For the apparel oft proclaims the man. 
Neither a borrower nor a lender be : 
For loan oft loses both itself and friend; 
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. 
This above all, — to thine own self be true ; 
And it must follow, as the night the day, 
Thou canst not then be false to any man. 

Shakespeare. 
proverbs. 

Forewarned is forearmed. 
' Good advice is beyond all price. 



AFFLICTIONS. 17 

Nothing given so willingly as advice. 

For some people, the best advice is — don't give 
any. 

Give neither counsel nor salt until you are asked 
for it. 

The stingy man loves to give advice — it costs 
nothing. 

Bachelors' wives and old maids' children are 
always well taught. 

Giving advice to a fool is like throwing water 
on a duck's back. 

Of quinine and advice, it is more blessed to 
give than to receive. 



III. 
AFFLICTIONS. 

BIBI.K. 

Therefore they did set over them task-masters 
to afflict them with their burdens. And they built 
for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 
But the more they afflicted them, the more they 
multiplied and grew. And they were grieved be- 
cause of the children of Israel. — Ex. i:ii-i2. 

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the af- 
fliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have 
heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters ; for 
I know their sorrows ; and I am come down to de- 
liver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and 
to bring them up out of that land unto a good land 
and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and 
honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the 
Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and 
the Hivites, and the Jebusites. — Ex. iii 17-8. 

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the 



18 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

wilderness, so that they lacked nothing ; their clothes 
waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. — Neh. 
ix:2i. 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He 
that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing 
his sheaves with him. — Psa. cxxvi : 5-6. 

And we know that all things work together for 
good to them that love God, to them who are the 
called according to his purpose. — Rom. viii : 28. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a mo- 
ment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and 
eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the 
things which are seen, but at the things which are 
not seen: for the things which are seen are tem- 
poral ; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 
—II Cor. iv:i7-i8. 

UTERATURE. 

"Every vessel of mercy must be scoured in order 
to brightness. And however trees in the wilderness 
may grow without cultivation, trees in the garden 
must be pruned to be made fruitful: and cornfields 
must be broken up, when barren heaths are left 
untouched." Arrowsmith. 

"There is a dark and bright side to every provi- 
dence, as there was to the guiding pillar-cloud. 
Nature fixes on the dark, and calls it sorrow ; faith 
sees the sun dispersing the darkness, and calls it by 
a name of joy." Bonar. 

proverbs. 

Affliction is the school of virtue. 
It is the wholesome soil of virtue. 
It separates the wheat from the chaff. 
Afflictions are but mercies in disguise. 



ALMSGIVING. 19 

Great trials prepare us for great duties. 

No man would be happy without them. 

God afflicts us to draw us nearer to him. 

One affliction is better than a thousand exhorta- 
tions. 

The best people need affliction to bring their vir- 
tues into play. 

The afflicted person is sacred, and the best 
remedy is to submit to Providence, for there is 
mercy in affliction's smarts. 



IV. 
ALMSGIVING. 

BIBLE. 

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that 
men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for 
this is the law and the prophets. — Matt, vii: 12. 

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall 
reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bounti- 
fully shall reap also bountifully. Every man accord- 
ing as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; 
not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a 
cheerful giver. — II Cor. ix : 6, 7. 

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good 
unto all men, especially unto them who are of the 
household of faith. — Gal. vi : 10. 

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth 
his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels 
of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love 
of God in him? — I John iii: 17. 

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto 
the Lord ; and that which he hath given will he pay 
him again. — Prov. xix: 17. 



GEMS OF WISDOM. 



UTERATURE. 



A lady visited New York City, and saw on the 
sidewalk a ragged, cold, and hungry little girl gaz- 
ing wistfully at some of the cakes in a shop win- 
dow. She stopped, and, taking the little one by 
the hand, led her into the store. Though she was 
aware that bread might be better for the cold child 
than cake, yet desiring to gratify the shivering and 
forlorn one, she bought and gave her the cake she 
wanted. She then took her to another place, where 
she procured her a shawl and other articles of com- 
fort. The grateful little creature looked the lady 
full in the face, and with artless simplicity said, 
"Are you God's wife?" 

PROVERBS. 

It covereth a multitude of sins. 

We are rich only through what we give. 

Give work rather than alms to the poor. 

Charity begins at home, but should not end there. 

To pity distress is human, to relieve it Godlike. 

He who ministers not to the need of others re- 
mains unblest. 

Give not grudgingly, for the Lord loveth a 
cheerful giver. 

Generosity never impoverished a man, nor rob- 
bery enriched him, nor prosperity made him wise. 



V. 
AMBITION. 

BIBM. 

Hear this, all ye people ; give ear, all ye inhabi- 
tants of the world: both low and high, rich and 
poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; 



AMBITION. 21 

and the meditation of my heart shall be of under- 
standing. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I 
will open my dark saying upon the harp. Where- 
fore should I fear in the days of evil, when the in- 
iquity of my heels shall compass me about? They 
that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in 
the multitude of their riches ; none of them can by 
any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a 
ransom for him: (for the redemption of their soul 
is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) that he should 
still live for ever, and not see corruption. For he 
seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the 
brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to 
others. Their inward thought is, that their houses 
shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places 
to all generations; they call their lands after their 
own names. — Psa. xlix:i-n. 

LITERATURE. 

"Men are not so much mistaken in desiring to 
advance themselves as in judging what will be an 
advance, and what the right method of it. An am- 
bition which has conscience in it will always be a 
laborious and faithful engineer, and will build the 
road, and bridge the chasms between itself and 
eminent success, by the most faithful and minute 
performance of duty. 

"The liberty to go higher than we are is only 
given when we have fulfilled the duty of our pres- 
ent sphere. Thus men are to rise upon their per- 
formances, and not upon their discontent. A man 
proves himself fit to go higher who shows that he 
is faithful where he is. A man that will not do 
well in his present place, because he longs to go 
higher, is neither fit to be where he is, nor yet above 
it ; he is already too high, and should be put lower/' 

Beecher. 



22 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Look to the end of worldly ambition, and what 
is it? Take the four greatest rulers, perhaps, that 
ever sat upon a throne. Alexander, when he had 
so completely subdued the nations that he wept be- 
cause there were no more to conquer, at last set 
fire to a city, and died in a scene of debauch. Han- 
nibal, who filled three bushels with the gold rings 
taken from the slaughtered knights, died at last by 
poison administered by his own hand, unwept and 
unknown, in a foreign land. Caesar, having con- 
quered 800 cities, and dyed his garments with the 
blood of one million of his foes, was stabbed by his 
best friends, in the very place which had been the 
scene of his greatest triumph. Napoleon, after be- 
ing the scourge of Europe, and the desolator of his 
country, died in banishment, conquered, and a cap- 
tive. 

So live, that when thy summons comes to join 
The innumerable caravan that moves 
To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death, 
Thou go not like the quarry-slave at night, 
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him and lies down to pleasant dreams. 

Bryant. 

proverbs. 

A hero is only known in times of misfortune. 

A man must be a hero to comprehend a hero. 

Vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself; re- 
solved to rule or ruin the state. 

The man who wants the earth often has to be 
satisfied with a little of its dust. 

Ambition is like a torrent, it never looks back; 



ANGER. 23 

it is a powerful source of good or ill, and stains 
many a public cause. 



VI. 
ANGER. 

BIBLE. 

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry : for anger 
resteth in the bosom of fools. — Eccl. vii:c). 

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not 
thyself in any wise to do evil. — Psa. xxxvii :8. 

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a 
man of wicked devices is hated. — Prov. xiv:i7- 

A soft answer turneth away wrath : but grievous 
words stir up anger. — Prov. xv:i. 

He that is slow to anger is better than the 
mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that 
taketh a city. — Prov. xvi : 32. 

A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: 
for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 
— Prov. xix:i9. 

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like 
a city that is broken down, and without walls. — 
Prov. xxv :28. 

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry 
with his brother without a cause shall be in danger 
of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his 
brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council : but 
whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger 
of hell fire. — Matt, v 122. 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and 
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, 
with all malice. — Eph. iv:3i. 



24 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

literature:. 

The continuance and frequent fits of anger pro- 
duce an evil habit in the soul, called wrathfulness, 
or a propensity to be angry; which ofttimes end in 
choler, bitterness, and morosity; when the mind 
becomes ulcerated, peevish, and querulous, and like 
a thin, weak plate of iron, receives impression, and 
is wounded by the least occurrence. Plutarch. 

When anger rushes, unrestrain'd to action, 
Like a hot steed, it stumbles in its way. 
The Man of Thought strikes deepest, and strikes 
safely. Sir Thomas Overbury. 

The intoxication of anger, like that of the grape, 
shows us to others, but hides us from ourselves, and 
we injure our own cause, in the opinion of the 
world, when we too passionately and eagerly de- 
fend it. Colton. 

proverbs. 

Hate a man's vices, but not the man. 

Let not the sun go down upon your anger. 

We are hated by those who have injured us. 

Whoever is angry with his brother is in danger 
of the judgment. 

Two things a man should never be angry at, 
What he can help, and what he can't. 

VII. 
BENEVOLENCE. 

BIBLE. 

Blessed is he that considereth the poor : the Lord 
will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will 
preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be 



BENEVOLENCE. 25 

blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver 
him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will 
strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou 
wilt make all his bed in his sickness. — Psa. xli:i-3. 

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that 
watereth shall be watered also himself. He that 
withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but 
blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 
Prov. XK25-26. 

The vile person shall be no more called liberal, 
nor the churl said to be bountiful. For the vile 
person will speak villany, and his heart will work 
iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error 
against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the 
hungry; and he will cause the drink of the thirsty 
to fail. The instruments also of the churl are evil : 
he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with 
lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. 
But the liberal deviseth liberal things ; and by liberal 
things shall he stand. — Isa. xxxii:5-8. 

LITERATURE. 

The conqueror is regarded with awe, the wise 
man commands our esteem, but it is the benevolent 
man who wins our affection. From the French. 

For his bounty, 
There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas 
That grew the more by reaping. Shakespeare. 
Rare benevolence, the minister of God. Carlyle. 
Think not the good, 
The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done, 
Shall die forgotten all ; the poor, the pris'ner, 
The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow, 
Who daily own the bounty of thy land, 
Shall cry to heav'n and pull a blessing on thee. 

Rowe. 



26 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

The truly generous is the truly wise ; 
And he who loves not others lives unblest. 

Home. 
proverbs. 

He gives double who gives unasked. 

He gives twice who gives in a trice. 

Good that comes too late is good for nothing. 

The world is my country; to do good, my re- 
ligion. 

There is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the 
fingers. 

Alms are the golden key that open the gate of 
heaven. 

He who lends to the poor gets his interest from 
the Lord. 

Live to do good and you will never tire of your 
employment. 

One hand opened in charity is worth a hundred 
folded in prayer. 

It is not what we take up, but what we give up 
that makes us rich. 

The poorest can give as much as the richest if 
he will give all he can. 

Cast thy bread upon the waters ; God will know 
of it, if the fishes do not. 

VIII. 
BIBLE. 

BIBIvK. 

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all 
the day. Thou through thy commandments hast 
made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are 
ever with me. I have more understanding than 
all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my medi- 



BIBLE. 27 

tation. I understand more than the ancients, be- 
cause I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet 
from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou 
hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto 
my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. 
Through thy precepts I get understanding: there- 
fore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp 
unto my feet, and a light unto my path. — Psa. cxix : 
97-I05. 

Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are 
righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath con- 
sumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy 
words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy ser- 
vant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do 
not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness, and 
thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have 
taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my 
delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is 
everlasting : give me understanding, and I shall live. 
— Psa. cxix:i38-i44. 

LITERATURE. 

I use the Scriptures, not as an arsenal to be re- 
sorted to only for arms and weapons, but as a 
matchless temple, where I delight to contemplate 
the beauty, the symmetry, and the magnificence of 
the structure, and to increase my awe and excite 
my devotion to the Deity there preached and adored. 

Boyle. 
This Book, this Holy Book, on every line, 
Mark'd with the seal of high divinity, 
On every leaf bedew'd with drops of love 
Divine, and with the eternal heraldry 
And signature of God Almighty stamp'd 
From first to last; this ray of sacred light, 
This lamp, from off the everlasting throne, 



28 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Mercy took down, and in the night of time 
Stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow ; 
And evermore beseeching men with tears 
And earnest sighs, to read, believe and live. 

Pollok. 

It has God for its author, salvation for its end, 
and truth, without any mixture of error, for its mat- 
ter ; — it is pure, all sincere ; nothing too much, noth- 
ing wanting. Locke. 

proverbs. 

Buy the truth, and sell it not ; also wisdom, and 
instruction, and understanding. 

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them with- 
in thee ; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the 
wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: 
but he that feareth the commandment shall be re- 
warded. 

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart 
keep my commandments: for length of days, and 
long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee : bind them 
about thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine 
heart: so shalt thou find favour and good under- 
standing in the sight of God and man. 

Have not I written to thee excellent things in 
counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee 
know the certainty of the words of truth ; that thou 
mightest answer the words of truth to them that 
send unto thee? 



BLESSED. 29 



IX. 

BLESSED. 

BIBIvS. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: 
for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek : 
for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they 
which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for 
they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for 
they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in 
heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the 
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children 
of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted 
for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom 
of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile 
you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner 
of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, 
and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in 
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which 
were before you. — Matt. v:3~i2. 

literature. 

True blessedness consisteth in a good life and a 
happy death. Solon. 

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and 
he addeth no sorrow with it. Prov. x : 22. 

How blessings brighten as they take their flight ! 

Young. 

Blessings be with them, and eternal praise 
Who gave us nobler loves, and nobler cares, 
The poets, who on earth have made us heirs 

Of truth and pure delight, by heavenly lays. 

Wordsworth. 



30 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

The benediction of these covering heavens 
Fall on their heads like dew. Shakespeare. 

Not to understand a treasure's worth, 
Till time has stolen away the slightest good, 
Is cause of half the poverty we feel, 
And makes the world the wilderness it is. 

Cowper. 
proverbs. 
Blessed is the peacemaker, not the conqueror. 
The gladness of the heart is the life of a man. 
Happiness consists in the multiplicity of agree- 
able consciousness. 

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and 
everyone that retaineth her. 

There is in man a higher thought than love of 
happiness; he can do without happiness, and in- 
stead thereof find blessedness. 



X. 

BLESSINGS. 

BIBLE. 

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord 
make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto 
thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, 
and give thee peace. — Num. vi : 24-26. 

Now unto him that is able to keep you from 
falling, and to present you faultless before the pres- 
ence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only 
wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, do- 
minion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 
— Jude i : 26. 

LITERATURE. 

If one should give me a dish of sand, and tell 



BOASTING. 31 

me there were particles of iron in it, I might look 
for them with my eyes, and search for them with 
my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; 
but let me take a magnet, and sweep through it, 
and how would it draw to itself the most invisible 
particles by the mere power of attraction! The 
unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, dis- 
covers no mercies : but let the thankful heart sweep 
through the day ; and, as the magnet finds the iron, 
so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly bless- 
ings; only the iron in God's sand is gold. 

O. W. Holmes. 

PROVERBS. 

Blessings brighten as they take their flight. 
You know not where a blessing may light. 
They are not truly valued until they are gone. 
Blessings in disguise are generally out of sight. 



XL 
BOASTING. 

BIBLE. 

Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast 
himself as he that putteth it off. — I Kings xx: 11. 

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, 
and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhor- 
reth. — Psa. x:3. 

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like 
clouds and wind without rain. — Prov. xxv:i4. 

Shall the axe boast itself against him that hew- 
eth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself 
against him that shaketh it? or if the rod should 
shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the 



32 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. — 
Isa. x:i5- 

For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and 
that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God : not of 
works, lest any man should boast. — Eph. ii:8-9- 

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boast- 
eth great things. Behold, how great a matter a 
little fire kindleth! — Jas. iii 15. 

LITERATURE. 

When you begin with so much pomp and show, 
Why is the end so little and so low? 

Roscommon. 

The empty vessel makes the greatest sound. 

Shakespeare. 

For men, it is reported, dash and vapor 
Less on the field of battle than on paper. 
Thus in the hist'ry of dire campaign 
More carnage loads the newspaper than plain. 

Dr. Wolcott. 
I know them, yea, 
And what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple; 
Scrambling, out-facing, fashion-mong'ring boys, 
That lie, and cog, and flout, deprave, and slander, 
Go antickly, and show outward hideousness, 
And speak off half a dozen dangerous words, 
How they might hurt their enemies, if they durst; 
And this is all. Shakespeare. 

proverbs. 

The empty vessel makes the greatest sound. 

The greatest liar is he who talks most of him- 
self. 

'Tis not the hen that cackles most that lays the 
most eggs. 



BROTHERLY LOVE. 33 

He who killeth a lion when absent feareth a 
mouse when present. 

All my goods are of silver and gold, even my 
copper kettle, says the boaster. 



XII. 
BROTHERLY LOVE. 

BIBLE. 

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and 
tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to 
inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is 
written in the law? How readest thou? And he 
answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with 
all thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy 
neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou 
hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 

But he, to justify himself, said unto Jesus, 
And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering 
said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to 
Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him 
of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, 
leaving him half dead. And by chance there came 
down a certain priest that way; and when he saw 
him, he passed by on the other side. And like- 
wise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and 
looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But 
a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where 
he was; and when he saw him he had compassion 
on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, 
pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own 
beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of 
him. And on the morrow when he departed, he 
took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and 



34 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever 
thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay 
thee. 

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was 
neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then 
said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 
— Luke x: 25-37. 

UT3RATURE). 

Captain Burton, in his work on Africa, tells us 
the following singular and beautiful rite which he 
found among the people. Two persons wish to 
take upon themselves what they call "The Brother 
Rite." To do this, they sit down face to face, with 
their legs crossed, holding in their laps their imple- 
ments of war. A sheep or goat is then killed, and 
its heart roasted and brought to them, and a half 
given to each. One of them then takes a knife, and 
opens a vein on the left breast of the other, over 
the heart; and, as the blood flows, he smears his 
piece of heart in the blood and eats it; the other 
doing in the same manner with him. Next, each 
catches some of the blood of the other, and rubs 
it into his own wound ; and the rite is now complete. 
This rite is designed to signify that henceforth they 
are halves or parts of each other. Each, through 
his own blood thus eaten, and thus absorbed by the 
other's veins, is considered as living in and of the 
other. Henceforth, should either be in any trouble, 
the other is to feel "it is myself that is in trouble," 
and thus do for the other whatsoever in like circum- 
stances he would do for himself. 

proverbs. 

The younger brother, the better gentleman. 

A brother's sufferings excites a brother's pity. 



BUSINESS. 35 

A brother offended is harder to be won over 
than a beleaguered city. 

How fast does brother follow brother from sun- 
light to the sunless land. 



XIII. 
BUSINESS. 

BIBI.E. 

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh 
day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest 
thou shalt rest. — Ex. xxxiv:2i. 

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack 
hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. — 
Prov. x:4. 

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, 
and look well to thy herds. — Prov. xxvii 123. 

And they all with one consent began to make 
excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a 
piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: 
I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I 
have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove 
them: I pray thee have me excused. — Luke xiv: 
18, 19. 

Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serv- 
ing the Lord. — Rom. xii:n. 

LITERATURE). 

A man who cannot mind his own business is 
not to be trusted with the king's. Saville. 

There are in business three things necessary — 

knowledge, temper and time. Feltham. 

Never shrink from doing anything which your 



36 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

business calls you to do. The man who is above 
his business may one day find his business above 
him. Drew. 

To men addicted to delights, business is an in- 
terruption; to such as are cold to delights, business 
is an entertainment. For which reason it was said 
to one who commended a dull man for his applica- 
tion, "No thanks to him; if he had no business, he 
would have nothing to do." Steele. 

To business that we love, we rise betime, 
And go to it with delight. Shakespeare. 

proverbs. 

Trust in God, but mind your business. 

Venture a small fish to catch a great one. 
From small profits and many expenses, 
Comes a whole life of sad consequences. 

Drive thy business ; let not that drive thee. 

He'll seldom need aid who has a good trade. 

It is easy to open a shop, but hard to keep it open. 

The fool is busy in every one's business but his 
own. 

The man who minds his own business will al- 
ways have business to mind. 



XIV. 
CALAMITY. 

BIBM. 

Hear now this, O foolish people, and without 
understanding ; which have eyes, and see not ; which 
have ears, and hear not: fear ye not me? saith the 
Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which 
have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by 



CALAMITY. 37 

a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it : and though 
the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not 
prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass 
over it? But this people hath a revolting and a re- 
bellious heart ; they are revolted and gone. Neither 
say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord 
our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the 
latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the ap- 
pointed weeks of the harvest. 

Your iniquities have turned away these things, 
and your sins have withholden good things from 
you. For among my people are found wicked 
men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; 
they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage 
is full of birds, so are , their houses full of de- 
ceit; therefore they are become great, and waxen 
rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they 
overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not 
the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they pros- 
per; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: 
shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as 
this? — Jer. v -.21-29. 

UT3RATUR3. 

'Tis only from the belief of the goodness and 
wisdom of a Supreme Being that our calamities 
can be borne in that manner which becomes a man. 

Mackenzie. 

The willow which bends to the tempest often 
escapes better than the oak which resists it ; and so 
in great calamities it sometimes happens that light 
and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and 
presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier char- 
acter. Sir Walter Scott. 

When any calamity has been suffered the first 



38 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

thing to be remembered is, how much has been es- 
caped. Johnson. 

When men once reach their autumn, sickly joys 

Fall off apace, as yellow leaves from trees, 

At every little breath misfortune blows; 

'Till left quite naked of their happiness, 

In the chill blasts of winter they expire, 

This is the common lot. Young. 

proverbs. 

No trials, no triumphs. 

Every man has his Waterloo. 

The good seaman is known in bad weather. 

He that stumbles and falls not quite, gains a step. 

Many go out for berries and come back with 
briars. 

Misfortunes come on horseback and go away 
on foot. 

A bird never flew so high but it had to come to 
the ground. 

He that has never known adversity is but half 
acquainted with himself. 

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but 
in rising every time we fail. 



XV. 
CARES. 

BIBIyE. 

Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with 
thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: 
Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? 
wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacher- 
ously? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have 
taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: 



CARES. 39 

thou art near in their mouth, and far from their 
reins. But thou, O Lord, knowest me: thou hast 
seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee : pull them 
out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them 
for the day of slaughter. How long shall the land 
mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the 
wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts 
are consumed, and the birds ; because they said, He 
shall not see our last end. — Jer. xii: 1-4. 

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by 
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your 
requests be made known unto God. — Phil, iv : 6. 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth 
for you. — I Pet. v :?. 

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, 
and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a 
tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out 
her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat 
cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not 
be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease 
from yielding fruit. — Jer. xvii:7-8. 

literature:. 

In care they live, and must for many care, 
And such the best and greatest ever are. 

Lord Brooke. 
All cares appear as large again as they are, ow- 
ing to their emptiness and darkness; it is so with 
the grave. Richter. 

Providence has given us hope and sleep, as a 
compensation for the many cares of life. Voltaire. 

Although my cares do hang upon my soul 
Like mines of lead, the greatness of my spirit 
Shall shake the sullen weight off. Clapthorne. 
Quick is the succession of human events; the 



40 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

cares of to-day are seldom the cares of to-morrow ; 
and when we lie down at night, we may safely say 
to most of our troubles, "Ye have done your worst, 
and we shall meet no more.'' Cowper. 

proverbs. 

Be careful or you may be full of cares. 

Every day has its care ; but each care has its day. 

Know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and 
be strong. 

Care that broods with drooping wing only broods 
of care will bring. 

Life's cares are comforts, such by Heav'n de- 
signed: he that has none must take them, or be 
wretched. 

XVI. 
CHARACTER. 

BIBLX 

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk 
in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep 
his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole 
heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his 
ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy pre- 
cepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to 
keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, 
when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when 
I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I 
will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? 
by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With 
my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not 
wander from thy commandments. Thy word have 
I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against 



CHARACTER. 41 

thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy 
statutes. With my lips have I declared all the 
judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the 
way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect 
unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy sta- 
tutes: I will not forget thy word. — Psa. cxix:i-i6. 

LITERATURE. 

Character is a perfectly educated will. Nevalis. 

The best rules to form a young man are, to 
talk little, to hear much, to reflect alone upon what 
has passed in company, to distrust one's own opin- 
ions, and value others that deserve it. 

Sir Wm. Temple. 

Decision of character is one of the most import- 
ant of human qualities, philosophically considered. 
Speculation, knowledge, is not the chief end of man ; 
it is action. * * * "Give us the man," shout the 
multitude, "who will step forward and take the re- 
sponsibility." He is instantly the idol, the lord, and 
the king among men. He, then, who would com- 
mand among his fellows, must excel them more in 
energy of will than in power of intellect. Burnap. 

Spare in diet; 
Free from gross passion, or of mirth, or anger ; 
Constant in spirit, not swerving with the blood ; 
Garnish'd and deck'd with modest compliment ; 
Not working with the eye, without the ear, 
And, but purged in judgment, trusting neither. 

Shakespeare. 
The crown and glory of life is character. It is 
the noblest possession of a man, constituting a rank 
in itself, and an estate in the general good-will; 
dignifying every station, and exalting every position 
in society. It exercises a greater power than wealth, 



42 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

and secures all the honor without the jealousies of 
fame. It carries with it an influence which always 
tells, — for it is the result of proud honor, rectitude, 
and consistency, — qualities which, perhaps, more 
than any other, command the general confidence 
and respect of mankind. Smiles. 

proverbs. 

Character is what we are in the dark. 
Sow a thought, reap an act; 
Sow an act and reap a habit; 
Sow a habit and reap a character ; 
Sow a character and reap a destiny. 
Ill habits gather by unseen degrees, 
As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas. 
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost ; 
When health is lost, something is lost ; 
When character is lost, all is lost. 
A character is like a kettle, once mended always 
wants mending. 

Nobody is truly unassailable until his character 
is gone. 

XVII. 
CHARITY. 

BIBI.3. 

Blessed is he that considereth the poor : the Lord 
will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will 
preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be 
blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver 
him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will 
strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou 
wilt make all his bed in his sickness. — Psa. xli:i~3. 

Withhold not good from them to whom it is 



CHARITY. 43 

due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, 
and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by 
thee. — Prov. iii:27-28. 

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; and 
there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it 
tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made 
fat : and he that watereth shall be watered also him- 
self. — Prov. xi 124-25. 

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work 
and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward 
his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, 
and do minister. — Gal. iino. 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these 
three; but the greatest of these is charity. — I Cor. 
xiii: 13. 

LITERATURE. 

In Faith and Hope the world will disagree, 
But all mankind's concerned in Charity: 
All must be false that thwart this one great end ; 
And all of God, that bless mankind, or mend. 

Pope. 

Charity is a universal duty, which it is in every 
man's power sometimes to practice, since every de- 
gree of assistance given to another, upon proper 
motives, is an act of charity; and there is scarcely 
any man in such a state of imbecility as that he may 
not, on some occasions, benefit his neighbour. 

Johnson. 

It is proper that alms should come out of a little 
purse, as well as out of a great sack; but surely, 
where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a cour- 
tesy ; it is a tribute imposed by Heaven upon us, and 
he is not a good subject who refuses to pay it. 

Feltham. 



j 

J 



44 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

It is another's fault if he be ungrateful, but it is 
mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man I 
will oblige many that are not so. Seneca. 

proverbs. 

Better have to give than have to beg. 

Live to do good and you will never tire of your 
employment. 

The poorest can give as much as the richest if he 
will give all he can. 

Who wears his heart upon his sleeve must ex- 
pect it will be bruised. 

And though poor be our purse and though nar- 
row our span, let us all try to do a good turn when 
we can. 



XVIII. 
CHEERFULNESS. 

BIBM. 

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the 
fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto 
them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day 
is holy unto our Lord : neither be ye sorry ; for the 
joy of the Lord is your strength.- — Neh. viiino. 

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into 
dancing : thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded 
me with gladness. — Psa. xxx:n. 

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness 
for the upright in heart. — Psa. xcvii:n. 

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: 
but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. All 
the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of 
a merry heart hath a continual feast. — Prov. xv: 
13-15. 



CHEERFULNESS. 45 

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but 
a broken spirit drieth the bones. — Prov. xvii : 22. 

LITERATURE. 

The most manifest sign of wisdom is continued 
cheerfulness. Montaigne. 

Cheerful looks make every dish a feast 
And 'tis that crowns a welcome. 

Messinger. 

Give us, O give us the man who sings at his 
work! Be his occupation what it may, he is equal 
to any of those who follow the same pursuit in 
silent sullenness. He will do more in the same 
time — he will do it better — he will persevere longer. 

Carlyle. 

True joy is a serene and sober motion; and they 
are miserably out that take laughing for rejoicing; 
the seat of it is within, and there is no cheerfulness 
like the resolutions of a brave mind. Seneca. 

The mind that is cheerful in its present state, 
fill be averse to all solicitude as to the future, and 
will be averse to all solicitude as to the future, and 
smile. Horace. 

A cheerful temper, joined with innocence, will 
make beauty attractive, knowledge delightful, and 
wit good-natured. It will lighten sickness, poverty, 
and affliction, convert ignorance into an amiable 
simplicity, and render deformity itself agreeable. 

Addison. 

Surely happiness is reflective, like the light of 
heaven; and every countenance, bright with smiles, 
and glowing with innocent enjoyment, is a mirror, 
transmitting to others the rays of a supreme and 
ever-shining benevolence. Washington Irving. 



46 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

PROVERBS. 

Laugh at your ills and save doctors' bills. 

A man's task is always light if his heart is light. 

A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any 
market. 

A happy temper, like the Aeolian harp, sings to 
every breeze. 

Though my head be as the winter, let my heart 
be as the spring. 

In whose heart there is no song, to him the miles 
are many and long. 

Of all days, that one is most wasted on which 
one has not laughed. 

If you would keep the wrinkles out of your face, 
keep sunshine in your heart. 

XIX. 

CHILDREN. 

BIBLE. 

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast 
thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, 
that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 
— Psa. viii:2. 

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh 
a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of 
his mother. — Prov. x:i. 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and 
when he is old, he will not depart from it. Chasten 
thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul 
spare for his crying. — Prov. xxii:6, 18. 

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest ; yea, 
he shall give delight unto thy soul. — Prov. xxix:i7. 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord : for this 



CHILDREN. 47 

is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is 
the first commandment with promise; that it may 
be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the 
earth. — Eph. vi:i-3. 

And they brought young children to him, that 
he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked 
those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, 
he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer 
the little children to come unto me, and forbid them 
not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I 
say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the king- 
dom of God as a little child, he shall not enter 
therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his 
hands upon them, and blessed them. — Mark x: 
13-16. 

LITERATURE. 

Fragile beginnings of a mighty end. 

Mrs. Norton. 

Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought, 
To teach the young idea how to shoot, 
To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind, 
To breathe the enlivening spirit and to fix 
The generous purpose in the glowing breast ! 

Thomson. 

Living jewels dropp'd unstained from heaven. 

Pollok. 

I love these little people; and it is not a slight 
thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love 
us. Dickens. 

Call not that man wretched who, whatever ills 
he suffers, has a child to love. Southey. 

What gift has Providence bestowed on man that 
is so dear to him as his children? Cicero. 

It is better to keep children to their duty by a 



48 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

sense of honor, and by kindness, than by fear and 
punishment. Tertullion. 

The plays of natural, lively children are the in- 
fancy of art. Children live in the world of imagina- 
tion and feeling. They invest the most insignifi- 
cant object with any form they please, and see in it 
whatever they wish to see. Oehlenschlaeger. 

Blossoms ! They are the blossoms of another 
world, whose fruitage is angels and archangels. Or 
dewdrops! They are dewdrops that have their 
source, not in the chambers of the earth, nor among 
the vapors of the sky, which the next breath of wind 
or the next flash of sunshine may dry up forever, 
but among the everlasting fountains and inexhausti- 
ble reservoirs of mercy and love. Playthings! If 
the little creatures would but appear to us in their 
true shape for a moment! We should fall upon 
our faces before them, or grow pale with consterna- 
tion, or fling them off with horror and loathing. 

Now to me there is no study half so delightful 
as that of these little creatures, with hearts fresh 
from the gardens of the sky, in their first and fair- 
est and most unintentional disclosures, while they 
are indeed a mystery, — a fragrant, luminous, and 
beautiful mystery! Neal. 

proverbs. 

Children are poor men's riches. 

Of listening children have your fears; 

For little children have great ears. 

Children pick up words as pigeons peas, 

And utter them again as God shall please. 
The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom. 
A babe in the house is a well spring of pleasure. 
In leading a child you may be commanding an 
army. 



COMMANDMENTS. 49 

A father maintains ten children better than ten 
children maintain one father. 

A man soon learns how little he knows when a 
child begins to ask questions. 

Let the child's first lesson be obedience, and the 
second will be what thou wilt. 



XX. 

COMMANDMENTS. 

BIBLE. 

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou 
shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any 
likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that 
is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under 
the earth : Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, 
nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jeal- 
ous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon 
the children unto the third and fourth generation 
of them that hate me : and shewing mercy unto thou- 
sands of them that love me, and keep my command- 
ments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him 
guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember 
the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
thou labour, and do all thy work; but the sev- 
enth day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it 
thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor 
thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, 
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and 
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the 
seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sab- 
bath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and 



50 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the 
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou 
shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 
Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false 
witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet 
thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy 
neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid- 
servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that 
is thy neigbour's. — Ex. xx:3~i7. 

LITERATURE. 

Cicero questions, whether that can properly 
be called a burden which one carries with delight 
and pleasure. If a man carries a bag of money 
given him, it is heavy ; but the delight takes off the 
burden. 

When God gives inward joy, that makes the 
commandments delightful. Joy is like oil to the 
wheels, which makes a Christian run in the way of 
God's commandments, so that it is not burdensome. 

/. Watson. 

PROVERBS. 

My son, keep my words, and lay up my com- 
mandments with thee. 

Keep my commandments, and live ; and my law 
as the apple of thine eye. 

Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the 
table of thine heart. 

The wise in heart will receive commandments: 
but a prating fool shall fall. 

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide 
my commandments with thee; 

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and 
apply thine heart to understanding; 

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for 
her as for hid treasures; 



CONDUCT. 51 

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest 
up thy voice for understanding; 

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, 
and find the knowledge of God. 

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his 
own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine 
heart retain my words: keep my commandments, 
and live. 



XXI. 
CONDUCT. 

BIBIX 

He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; 
he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth 
mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dis- 
simulation. Abhor that which is evil ; cleave to that 
which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to an- 
other with brotherly love; in honour preferring 
one another; not slothful in business; fervent in 
spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient 
in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; dis- 
tributing to the necessity of saints; given to hos- 
pitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, 
and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, 
and weep with them that weep. Be of the same 
mind one toward another. Mind not high things, 
but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in 
your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for 
evil. 

Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peace- 
ably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not 
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath : for it 



52 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith 
the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed 
him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing 
thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not 
overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 
— Romans xii : 8-21. 

LITERATURE. 

As a captain sent by his prince on some great 
exploit is accustomed, when he cometh to the place 
appointed, to consider wherefore he was sent, to 
what end, what to prosecute, what to perform, what 
shall be required at his hands by him that sent him 
thither ; these cogitations shall stir him up to attend 
to that which he came for, and not to employ him- 
self in impertinent affairs: so every rational being 
ought to ask himself why and to what end he was 
created of God, and sent into this world? what to 
do? wherein to bestow his days? He shall find 
that it was for no other cause only to serve God in a 
right manner in this life. Cawdray. 

I will govern my life and my thoughts as if the 
whole world were to see the one, and to read the 
other; for what does it signify to make anything a 
secret to my neighbor, when to God, who is the 
Searcher of hearts, all our privacies are open? 

Seneca. 
proverbs. 

Actions speak louder than words. 

Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds. 

Conduct creates character, acts beget habits. 

Don't have too many irons in the fire at one time. 

The actions of men are the index to their 
thoughts. 

Brave actions require no eulogy, for they carry 
their warrant with them. 



CONFESSION. 53 

Active natures are rarely melancholy, for activity 
and sadness are incompatible. 

Deliberate with caution, but act with decision, 
and yield with graciousness or oppose with firmness. 

A man's actions are more frequently the result 
of chance than design, and the motives which 
prompt them should not be judged at first sight. 

Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy 
might, for there is no work nor device, nor knowl- 
edge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest. 



XXII. 
CONFESSION. 

BIBM. 

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine in- 
iquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my 
transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest 
the iniquity of my sin. — Psa. xxxii:5. 

For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry 
for my sin. — Psa. xxxviii:i8. 

Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast 
transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast 
scattered thy ways to the strangers under every 
green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith 
the Lord. And I will give you pastors according 
to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge 
and understanding. — Jer. iii:i3, 15, 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but 
whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have 
mercy. — Prov. xxviii:i3. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to 
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- 
righteousness. — I John i:(j. 



54 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

LITERATURE. 

At the battle of Williamsburg a soldier who had 
the artery of his arm severed by a fragment of a 
shell, and was fast bleeding to death, saw a sur- 
geon going to the front for orders; and lifting his 
bleeding member, cried, "Doctor, please!" The 
surgeon dismounted, bound up the wound, and gave 
all possible relief. As he started on, the man said, 
"Doctor, what is your name ?" The reply was, "No 
matter." "But, doctor," said the wounded man, 
"I want to tell my wife and children who saved me." 

Anon. 

If I am working beside a man, and I see that 
he tries to shirk and shift his labor upon me, I am 
angry with him. But if he says to me, "I am 
wounded and cannot work," or "I am lame," or 
"sick," then the thought comes to me at once, "You 
shall not work ; I will help you." And so if a man 
says to us, "I know I did wrong, but I am weak, 
blame me as little as you can, but help me as much 
as you can," that very confession disarms us, and 
we think better of him than we did before. There- 
fore it is that God so exhorts us to confess our sins 
to him. Beecher. 

proverbs. 

A fault confessed is half redressed. 

A generous confession disarms slander. 

Look in fear upon the guilt that might have 
been thine own. 

Whatever may have been the past, however black 
and hideous, it hath a present cure-repentance with 
amendment. 



CONTENTMENT. 55 



XXIII. 
CONTENTMENT. 

BIBIyE. 

Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither 
be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and 
wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and 
' do good ; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily 
thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord ; 
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; 
and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring 
forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judg- 
ment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait 
patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him 
who prospereth in his way, because of the man who 
bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, 
and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to 
do evil. For evil doers shall be cut off; but those 
that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 
— Psa. xxxvii:i-9. 

Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than 
great treasure and trouble therewith. — Prov. xv:i6. 

Better is a little with righteousness, than great 
revenues without right. — Prov. xvi:8. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. — 
I Tim. i : 6. 

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have 
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be 
content. — Phil. iv:n. 

Let your conversation be without covetousness ; 
and be content with such things as ye have : for he 



56 



GEMS OF WISDOM. 



hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 
— Heb. xiii:S. 

LITERATURE. 

As for a little more money and a little more time, 
why it's ten to one if either one or the other would 
make you one whit happier. If you had more time, 
it would be sure to hang heavily. It is the working 
man who is the happy man. Man was made to be 
active, and he is never so happy as when he is so. 
It is the idle man who is the miserable man. What 
comes of holidays, and far too often of sight-seeing, 
but evil? Half the harm that happens is on those 
days. 

And, as for money — don't you remember the old 
saying, "Enough is as good as a feast?" Money 
never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is 
nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The 
more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of 
its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one 
want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. 
That was a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon 
it: "Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than 
great treasure, and trouble therewith." Franklin. 

Seeming contentment is real discontent, com- 
bined with indolence or self-indulgence, which, 
while taking no legitimate means of raising itself, 
delights in bringing others down to its own level. 

Mill. 

That happy state of mind, so rarely possessed, 
in which we can say, "I have enough," is the high- 
est attainment of philosophy. Happiness consists, 
not in possessing much, but in being content with 
what we possess. He who wants little always has 
enough. Zimmerman. 

proverbs. 

No tent so good to live in as content. 



CONSCIENCE. 57 

A man is only as rich as he is contented. 

Contentment does not mean less work but more 
cheer. 

When one has not what one likes, one must like 
what one has. 

Taking things as they come does not wear one 
out so fast as dodging them. 

Contentment consisteth not in heaping more fuel, 
but in taking away some fire. 

When the best things are not possible, the best 
may be made of those that are. 



XXIV. 
CONSCIENCE. 

BIBLE. 

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let 
it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I 
live. — Job xxvii:6. 

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he : Eat and 
drink, saith he to thee ; but his heart is not with thee. 
— Prov. xxiii :J. 

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, 
Men and brethren, I have lived in all good con- 
science before God until this day. — Acts xxiii :i. 

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always 
a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward 
men. — Acts xxiv:i6. 

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience 
also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost. — Rom. 
ix:i. 

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our 
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, 
not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, 



58 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

we have had our conversation in the world, and 
more abundantly to you- ward. — II Cor. i:i2. 

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers 
with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have 
remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. 
—II Tim. i:3. 

Now the end of the commandment is charity 
out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and 
of faith unfeigned. — I Tim. i:5. 

LITERATURE. 

Let a prince be guarded with soldiers, attended 
by councillors, and shut up in forts; yet if his 
thoughts disturb him, he is miserable. Plutarch. 

Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all. 

Shakespeare. 

Even in the fiercest uproar of our stormy pas- 
sions, conscience, though in her softest whispers, 
gives to the supremacy of rectitude the voice of an 
undying testimony. Chalmers. 

We should have all our communications with 
men as in the presence of God; and with God, as 
in the presence of men. Colton. 

Remorse of conscience is like an old wound; a 
man is in no condition to fight under such circum- 
stances. The pain abates his vigor, and takes up 
too much of his attention. Jeremy Collier. 

No man ever offended his own conscience, but 
first or last it was revenged upon him for it. South. 
A man who sells his conscience for his interest, 
will sell it for his pleasure. A man who will be- 
tray his country, will betray his friend. 

Miss Bdgeworth. 
Though thy slumber may be deep, 
Yet thy spirit will not sleep ; 



CONVERSATION. 59 

There are shades that will not vanish, 
There are thoughts thou canst not banish. 

Byron. 

PROVERBS. 

A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder. 

A good conscience make a joyful countenance. 

It is always term time in the court of conscience. 

He that loses his conscience has nothing left that 
is worth keeping. 

To live with no conscience is to live like a beast ; 
to live with good conscience, a perpetual feast. 

XXV. 

CONVERSATION. 

bible;. 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation 
of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my 
strength, and my redeemer. — Psa. xix:i4. 

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep 
the door of my lips. — Psa. cxli:3. 

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of 
life : but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 
— Psa. cxlvni. 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from 
speaking guile. — Psa. xxxiv:i3. 

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, 
and talk of thy power; in the multitude of words 
there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his 
lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice sil- 
ver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The 
lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for 
want of wisdom. — Prov. x:n, 19-21. 

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: 



6o GEMS OF WISDOM. 

and a word spoken in due season, how good is it. 
— Prov. xv 123. 

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, 
and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are 
the snare of his soul. Death and life are in the 
power of the tongue : and they that love it shall eat 
the fruit thereof. — Prov. xviii:4, 7, 21. 

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of 
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of 
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 
— Eph. iv.29. 

literature. 

It is a secret known to but few, yet of no small 
use in the conduct of life, that when you fall into a 
man's conversation, the first thing you should con- 
sider is, whether he has a greater inclination to hear 
you, or that you should hear him. Steele. 

Not only to say the right thing in the right place, 
but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong 
thing at the tempting moment. Sala. 

Some men are very entertaining for a first inter- 
view, but after that they are exhausted, and run out ; 
on a second meeting we shall find them flat and 
monotonous; like hand organs, we have heard all 
their tunes. Colton. 

There is nothing so delightful as the hearing, or 
the speaking of truth. For this reason, there is no 
conversation so agreeable as that of the man of in- 
tegrity, who hears without any intention to betray, 
and speaks without any intention to deceive. Plato. 

But conversation, choose what theme we may, 
And chiefly when religion leads the way, 



CONVERSATION. 61 

Should flow like waters after summer show'rs, 
Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers. 

Cowper. 

proverbs. 

Discretion of speech is more than eloquence. 
Sweet discourse makes short days and nights. 
Eloquence is saying the proper thing and stop- 
ping. 

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned 
with salt. 

A man's conversation is the mirror of his 
thoughts. 

An orator without judgment is like a horse with- 
out a bridle. 

The wise man weighs his words on the gold- 
smith's scale. 

Education begins a gentleman, conversation 
completes him. 

When there is a gap in the conversation, don't 
put your foot in it. 

Men should not talk to please themselves, but 
those that hear them. 

Think twice before you speak once and you will 
speak twice the better for it. 

Five things observe with care, 

Of whom you speak, to whom you speak, 

And how, and when, and where. 

Words and eggs must be handled with care ; 

For words once spoken, and eggs once broken, 

Are not the easiest things to repair. 



62 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



XXVI. 

COVETOUSNESS. 

BIBLE. 

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own 
house: but he that hateth gifts shall live. — Prov. 
xv :2J. 

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, 
and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he 
went on frowardly in the way of his heart. — Isa. 
lvii :i7- 

O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abund- 
ant in treasures, thine end is come, and the meas- 
ure of thy covetousness. — Jer. li 113- 

And these are they which are sown among 
thorns; such as hear the word. — Mar. iv:i8. 

And the cares of this world, and the deceitful- 
ness of riches, and the lusts of other things, enter- 
ing in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 
—Mark iv: 18-19. 

But they that will be rich fall into temptation, 
and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 
which drown men in destruction and perdition. — 
I Tim. vi : 9. 

For the love of money is the root of all evil; 
which while some coveted after, they have erred 
from the faith, and pierced themselves through 
with many sorrows. — I Tim. VK9-10. 

Woe unto them ! for they have gone in the way 
of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam 
for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 
— Jude 11. 



DEBTS. 63 

LITERATURE. 

Some men are so covetous, as if they were to 
live forever, and others so profuse, as if they were 
to die the next moment. Aristotle. 

Covetous men are fools, miserable wretches, buz- 
zards, madmen, who live by themselves, in perpetual 
slavery, fear, suspicion, sorrow, discontent, with 
more of gall than honey in their enjoyments; who 
are rather possessed by their money than possessors 
of it. Burton. 

He deservedly loses his own property who covets 

that of another. Phaedrus. 

The covetous person lives as if the world were 

made altogether for him, and not he for the world ; 

to take in everything, and part with nothing. South. 

proverbs. 

Grasp no more than thy hand will hold. 

Covetousness is harder to cure than cancer. 

The miser dies that fools and lawyers may live. 

He that grasps at too much holds nothing fast. 

Nothing keeps the stingy man from stealing but 
the risks. 

Who hath and buries, increaseth worries; who 
hath and spends, enjoyment lends. 

Pour an ocean of melted gold down the throat 
of Avarice, and still its cry is, "Give, Give." 



XXVII. 
DEBTS. 

BIBLE. 

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither 
rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not 



64 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

abide with thee all night until the morning. — Lev. 
xix:i3. 

And every one that was in distress, and every 
one that was in debt, and every one that was dis- 
contented, gathered themselves unto him; and he 
became a captain over them: and there were with 
him about four hundred men. — I Sam. xxii:2. 

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said 
unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee 
all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest 
not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow- 
servant, even as I had pity on thee? — Matt, xviii: 

32-33. 

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to 
whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom ; fear 
to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no 
man anything, but to love one another: for he that 
loveth another hath fulfilled the law. — Rom. xiii:8. 

LITERATURE. 

Debt haunts the mind; a conversation about jus- 
tice troubles it; the sight of a creditor fills it with 
confusion; even the sanctuary is not a place of 
refuge. The borrower is servant to the lender. 

A life at another man's table is not to be ac- 
counted for a life. It is mean to flatter the rich ; it 
is humiliating to be an object of pity. 

To be the slave of unattainable desires is to be 
despicable and wretched. Independence, so essen- 
tial to the virtues and pleasures of a man, can only 
be maintained by setting bounds to our desires, and 
owing no man anything. 

A habit of boundless expense undermines and 
destroys the virtues even in the mind where they 
seem to dwell. It becomes difficult and at last im- 
possible to pay punctually. 



DEBTS. 65 

When a man of sensibility thinks of the low rate 
at which his word must henceforth pass, he is little 
in his own eyes ; but difficulties prompt him to study 
deceiving as an art, and at last he lies to his credi- 
tors without a blush. How desolate and how woful 
does his mind appear, now that the fence of truth 
is broken down! 

Friendship is next dissolved. He felt it once; 
he now insinuates himself by means of professions 
and sentiments which were once sincere. He seizes 
the moment of unsuspecting affection to ensnare the 
friends of his youth, borrowing money which he 
never will pay, and binding them for debts which 
they must hereafter answer. At this rate he sells 
the virtuous pleasures of loving and being beloved. 

He swallows up the provisions of aged parents, 
and the portion of sisters and brethren. The loss 
of truth is followed by the loss of humanity. 

His calls are still importunate. He proceeds to 
fraud and walks on precipices. Ingenuity, which 
in a better cause might have illustrated his name, 
is exerted to evade the law, to deceive the world, 
to cover poverty with the appearance of wealth, to 
sow unobserved the seeds of fraud. Chartery. 

proverbs. 

He who pays his debts grows rich. 
Happy is the man that owes nothing. 
Pay as you go is the philosopher's stone. 
Better a paid porkchop than a turkey on tick. 
Better go to bed supperless than rise in debt. 
A small house is better than a large mortgage. 
Pay as you go is better than a large mortgage. 
It is hard to pay for bread that has been eaten. 
If you pay as you owe what you're worth you'll 
know. 



66 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Poor, without debt, is a softer pillow than that 
of any prince. 

He who more than he's worth doth spend, makes 
a rope his life to end. 

He is sowing the seeds of sorrow who spendeth 
to-day what he earns to-morrow. 



XXVIII. 
DECEIT. 

BIBLE. 

A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but 
a just weight is his delight. — Prov. xi:i. 

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after- 
wards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. — Prov. 
xx:i7. 

And he made his grave with the wicked, and 
with the rich in his death ; because he had done no 
violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. — Isa. 
liii :g. 

He also that received seed among the thorns is 
he that heareth the word ; and the care of this world, 
and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and 
he becometh unfruitful. — Matt, xiii :22. 

That ye put off concerning the former conver- 
sation the old man, which is corrupt according to 
the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of 
your mind ; and that ye put on the new man, which 
after God is created in righteousness and true holi- 
ness. — Eph. iv 122-24. 

LITERATURE. 

Oh ! what a tangled web we weave 
When first we practice to deceive. Scott. 



DIFFICULTIES. 67 

Think'st thou there are no serpents in the world 
But those who slide along the grassy sod, 
And sting the luckless foot that presses them ? 
There are who in the path of social life 
Do bask their spotted skins in fortune's sun, 
And sting the soul. Ay, till its healthful frame 
Is chang'd to secret, fest'ring sore disease, 
So deadly is the wound. Joanna Baillie. 

proverbs. 

A false witness shall not be unpunished. 

It is easy to tell a lie, hard to tell but one. 

If others say how good you are, ask yourself if 
it is true. 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbor. 

Treason doth never prosper ; what's the reason ? 
For if it prosper none dare call it treason. 

Judas, dost thou betray me with a kiss? 

Canst thou find hell about my lips? and miss 

Of life, just at the gates of life and bliss? 



XXIX. 
DIFFICULTIES. 

BIBM. 

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the 
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 
Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall 
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. — 
Psa. xxvii:i3, 14. 

And from the days of John the Baptist until 
now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and 
the violent take it by force. — Matt. xi:i2. 



68 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the 
way; a lion is in the streets. — Prov. xxvi:i3. 

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll 
us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was 
rolled away : for it was very great. — Mark xvi :3, 4. 

Strive to enter in at the straight gate : for many, 
I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not 
be able. — Luke xiii : 24. 

LITERATURE. 

Difficulty is a severe instructor, set over us by 
the supreme ordinance of a parental guardian and 
legislator, who knows us better than we know our- 
selves ; and He loves us better too. He that wrestles 
with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our 
skill. Our antagonist is our helper. This amicable 
conflict with difficulty obliges us to an intimate ac- 
quaintance with our object, and compels us to con- 
sider it in all its relations. It will not suffer us to 
be superficial. Burke. 

What is difficulty? Only a word indicating the 
degree of strength requisite for accomplishing par- 
ticular objects; a mere notice of the necessity for 
exertion; a bugbear to children and fools; only a 
mere stimulus to men. Samuel Warren. 

The wise and active conquer difficulties 
By daring to attempt them ; sloth and folly, 
Shiver and shrink at sight of toil and hazard, 
And make the impossibility they fear. Rowe. 

proverbs. 

Difficulties test your capacity. 

Difficulty is a severe instructor. 

It is difficult to be high and yet humble. 

It is hard to suffer wrong and then pay for it. 



DILIGENCE. 69 

Difficulty strengthens the mind, as labor the body. 

The greatest difficulties lie where we do not ex- 
pect them. 

He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves 
and sharpens our skill. 



XXX. 

DILIGENCE. 

BIBLE. 

And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of 
valor; and Solomon seeing the young man that he 
was industrious, he made him ruler over all the 
charge of the house of Joseph. — I Kings xi : 28. 

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plente- 
ousness; but every one that is hasty only to want. 
— Prov. xxi:s. 

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he 
shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before 
mean men. — Prov. xxii : 29. 

She looketh well to the ways of her household, 
and eateth not the bread of idleness. — Prov. xxxi: 
27. 

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack 
hand : but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He 
that gathereth in summer is a wise son : but he that 
sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. — 
Prov. x:4»5. 

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with 
bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void 
of understanding. The hand of the diligent shall 
bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. — 
Prov. xiini, 24. 



70 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath 
nothing, but the soul of the diligent shall be made 
fat. — Prov. xiii:4. 

The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of 
thorns : but the way of the righteous is made plain. 
— -Prov. xv 119. 

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of 
bread ; but he that followeth after vain persons shall 
have poverty enough. — Prov. xxviiiac). 

LITERATURE. 

What though you have found no treasure, nor 
has any rich relation left you a legacy. Diligence 
is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things 
to industry. Then plough deep while sluggards 
sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep. 
Work while it is called to-day, for you know not how 
much you may be hindered to-morrow. One to-day 
is worth two to-morrows, as Poor Richard says; 
and further, never leave that till to-morrow which 
you can do to-day. Franklin. 

Blessed is he who has found his work; let him 
ask no other blessedness. He has work, a life pur- 
pose ; he has found it and will follow it ! Labor is 
life; from the inmost heart of the worker rises his 
God-given force, — the sacred, celestial life-essence, 
breathed into him by Almighty God; from his in- 
most heart awakens him to all nobleness, to all 
knowledge, "self-knowledge," and much else, so 
soon as work fitly begins. Carlyle. 

Without labor what is there? Without it there 
were no world itself. Whatever we see or perceive, 
in heaven or on earth, is the product of labor. The 
sky above us, the ground beneath us, the air we 
breathe, the sun, the moon, the stars, — what are 
they? The product of labor. They are the labors 



DISOBEDIENCE. 71 

of the Omnipotent, and all our labors are but a con- 
tinuance of His. Look around and tell me what 
you see, that is worth seeing, that is not the work 
of your hands and the hands of your fellows, — the 
multitude of all ages. Howitt. 

PROVERBS. 

Employment is Nature's physician. 
Constant occupation prevents temptation. 
A diligence in all things is the strongest fulcrum 
of success. 

The consciousness of duty performed gives us 
music at midnight. 

If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how 
canst thou find anything in thine age? 
The world is full of beauty, 
As brighter worlds above; 
And if we do our duty 
It might be full of love. 



XXXI. 

DISOBEDIENCE. 

BIBI.3. 

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not 
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to 
observe to do all his commandments and his stat- 
utes which I command thee this day; that all 
these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake 
thee: cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed 
shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy 
basket and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of 
thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of 
thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt 
thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou 



72 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

be when thou goest out. The Lord shall send upon 
thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou 
settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be de- 
stroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of 
the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast 
forsaken me. 

The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave 
unto thee, until he have consumed thee from 
off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The 
Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with 
a fever, and with an inflammation, and with 
an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with 
blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue 
thee until thou perish. And thy heaven that is 
over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is 
under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make 
the rain of thy land powder and dust : from heaven 
shall it come down upon thee, until thou be de- 
stroyed^ — Deut. xxviii: 15-24. 

LITERATURE. 

A young man was chained to a fellow-convict, 
and was about to leave his native country and heart- 
broken mother, probably forever. When a child, 
he was allowed to have his own way. When his 
mother ought to have firmly but kindly enforced 
obedience, she foolishly yielded to his whims. 

The effect of this unwise home-training became 
yearly more apparent. When sent to school, he 
was idle, and would not learn. He soon began to 
play truant. His mother scolded the master for 
punishing her headstrong boy. With bad compan- 
ions, he was soon found robbing orchards and 
cruelly treating dumb animals. His career was 
from bad to worse. At last, for a highway robbery, 
he was convicted, and sentenced to fourteen years' 
penal servitude. Anon. 



DRESS. 73 

PROVERBS. 

Conquered rebellion strengthens a government. 

To despise life is the first qualification of a rebel. 

Obedience is not only our duty, but our interest. 

Wicked men obey from fear, good men from 
love. 

Command wisely and you will be obeyed cheer- 
fully. 

Insurrections must be kept in motion or they will 
die out. 

Obedience is wedded to safety and is the mother 
of success. 

XXXII. 
DRESS. 

BIBLE. 

And the eyes of both of them were opened, and 
they knew that they were naked: and they sewed 
fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 
Unto Adam also, and to his wife, did the Lord God 
make coats of skins, and clothed them. — Gen. iii: 
7, 21. 

And why take ye thought for raiment? Con- 
sider the lilies of the field how they grow ? they toil 
not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, 
That even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed 
like one of these. — Matt, vi :28, 29. 

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that 
which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a 
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God 
of great price. — I Pet. iii 4. 

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which 
have not defiled their garments ; and they shall walk 



74 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

with me in white : for they were worthy. — Rev. iii 4. 

LITERATURE. 

We sacrifice to dress, till household joys 

And comforts cease. Dress drains our cellars dry, 

And keeps our larder lean. Puts out our fires, 

And introduces hunger, frost and woe, 

Where peace and hospitality might reign. Cowper. 

Dress has a moral effect upon the conduct of 
mankind. Let any gentleman find himself with 
dirty boots, old surtout, soiled neckcloth, and a gen- 
eral negligence of dress, he will, in all probability, 
find a corresponding disposition by negligence of 
address. Barrington. 

The person whose clothes are extremely fine I 
am too apt to consider as not being possessed of any 
superiority of fortune, but resembling those Indians 
who are found to wear all the gold they have in the 
world in a bob at the nose. Goldsmith. 

proverbs. 

Good clothes open all doors. 

Fashion wears out more apparel than the man. 

He is best dressed whose dress no one observes. 

The nickel-plating gives no power to the engine. 

Loveliness is, when unadorned, adorned the 
most. 

Birds with bright plumage do not always make 
good pie. 

An ape's an ape, a varlet's a varlet, 
Though they be clad in silk and scarlet. 



DRUNKENNESS. 75 



XXXIII. 
DRUNKENNESS. 

BIBIA 

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath 
contentions ? who hath babblings ? who hath wounds 
without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They 
that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek 
mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it 
is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it 
moveth itself aright: at the last it biteth like a ser- 
pent, and stingeth like an adder. — Prov. xxiii 129-32. 

But they also have erred through wine, and 
through strong drink are out of the way : the priest 
and the prophet have erred through strong drink, 
they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the 
way through strong drink; they err in vision, they 
stumble in judgment. — Isa. xxviii:7. 

UTERATURE. 

It weaks the brain, it spoils the memory, 
Hasting on age, and wilful poverty. 
It drowns thy better parts, making thy name 
To foes a laughter, to thy friends a shame. 
'Tis virtue's poison and the bane of trust, 
The match of wrath, the fuel unto lust. 
Quite leave this vice, and turn not to't again, 
Upon presumption of a stronger brain; 
For he who holds more wine than others can, 
I rather count a hogshead than a man. 

Randolph. 

O, that men should put an enemy into their 

mouths to steal away their brains! that we should 

with joy, revel, pleasure and applause transform 

ourselves into beasts. Shakespeare. 



76 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

What's a drunken man like? Like a drown'd 
man, a fool, and a madman : one draught above heat 
makes him a fool ; the second mads him, and a third 
drowns him. Shakespeare. 

Drunkenness is a flattering devil, a sweet poison, 
a pleasant sin, which whosoever hath, hath not him- 
self ; which whosoever doth commit doth not com- 
mit sin, but he himself is wholly sin. Augustine. 

proverbs. 

Wine has drowned more men than water. 

There is a devil in every berry of the grape. 

More have been drowned in the bowl than in the 
sea. 

Drink washes off the daub and discovers the 
man. 

Drunkenness calls off the watchmen from their 
towers. 

Thousands drink themselves to death before one 
dies of thirst. 

He who quarrels with a drunken man injures 
one who is absent. 

The best cure for drunkenness is while sober to 
see a drunken man. 

Drunkenness turns a man out of himself, and 
leaves a beast in his room. 

Drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor in 
debt, nor his wife a widow. 



XXXIV. 
DUTY. 

BIBLE). 

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that 
giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth, 



DUTY. 77 

with diligence: he that sheweth mercy, with cheer- 
fulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor 
that which is evil ; cleave to that which is good. Be 
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly 
love; in honor preferring one another: not slothful 
in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord : re- 
joicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing 
instant in prayer. — Rom. xii:8-i2. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, 
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things 
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever 
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good 
report ; if there be any virtue, and if there be any 
praise, think on these things. — Phil. iv:8. 

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that 
are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the 
weak, be patient toward all men. — I Thess. v : 14. 

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth 
meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 
— Prov. xxxi: 15. 

But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and 
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, 
patience, meekness. — I Tim. vi:n. 

Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and 
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, 
and godly, in this present world. — Titus ii:i2. 

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear 
God. — I Peter ii 117. 

literature;. 

Perish discretion when it interferes with duty. 

Hannah More. 

I hate to see a thing done by halves; if it be 
right, do it boldly; if it be wrong, leave it undone. 

Gilpin. 



7 8 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

That we ought to do an action is of itself a suffi- 
cient and ultimate answer to the questions, Why we 
should do it? — how we are obliged to do it? The 
conviction of duty implies the soundest reason, the 
strongest obligation, of which our nature is suscep- 
tible. Whewell. 

In all ordinary cases we see intuitively at first 
view, what is our duty, what is the honest part. In 
these cases doubt and deliberation is of itself dis- 
honesty. Bishop Butler. 

Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again; 

The eternal years of God are hers ; 
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain, 

And dies among her worshipers. Bryant. 

Doing well has something more in it than the 
mere fulfilling of a duty. It is a cause of a just 
sense of elevation of character; it clears and 
strengthens the spirits; it gives higher reaches of 
thought; it widens our benevolence, and makes the 
current of our peculiar affections strong and deep. 

Dana. 
proverbs. 
New occasions teach new duties. 
Pray devoutly, and hammer stoutly. 
God helps the sailor, but he must row. 
There is not a moment without some duty. 
If every one would mend one, all would be 
amended. 

If each would sweep before his own door we 
should have a clean street. 

I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty ; 
I woke, and found that life was Duty. 



EARLY RISING. 79 



XXXV. 
EARLY RISING. 

BIBLE). 

And they arose early : and it came to pass about 
the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to 
the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send 
thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out 
both of them, he and Samuel abroad. — I Sam. ix 126. 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O 
Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto 
thee, and will look up. — Psa. v:3- 

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when 
wilt thou arise out of thy sleep ? Yet a little sleep, 
a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep : 
so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, 
and thy want as an armed man. — Prov. vi 19-11. 

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open 
thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. — 
Prov. xx : 13. 

Let us get up early to the vineyards ; let us see 
if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape ap- 
pear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I 
give thee my loves. — Sol. vii:i2. 

LITERATURE). 

No man can promise himself even fifty years of 
life, but any man may, if he please, live in the pro- 
portion of fifty years in forty; — let him rise early, 
that he may have the day before him, and let him 
make the most of the day, by determining to expend 
it on two sorts of acquaintances only, — those by 
whom something may be gotten, and those from 
whom something may be learned. 



80 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Old men, it would seem, were to be found among 
those who had traveled, and those who had never 
been out of their own parish. * * * In short it 
appeared that many who agreed in scarcely any- 
thing else, agreed in having attained longevity. But 
there were only two questions, in which they all 
agreed, and these two questions, when put, were 
always answered in the affirmative by the oldest of 
those Greenwich and Chelsea pensioners to whom 
they were proposed. The questions were these: 
Were you descended from parents of good stamina? 
and have you been in the habit of early rising? 
Early rising, therefore, not only gives to us more 
life in the same number of our years, but adds like- 
wise to their number; and not only enables us to 
enjoy more of existence in the same measure of 
time, but increases also the measure. Anon. 

proverbs. 
Arise with the lark, but avoid larks in the eve- 
ning. 

He who rises late may trot all day and not over- 
take his business. 

Lose an hour in the morning and you will be all 
day hunting for it. 

Early to bed and early to rise, 
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. 
He that would thrive must arise at five, 
He that has thriven may arise at seven. 

XXXVI. 
EARNESTNESS. 

BIBIX 

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right 
hand upholdeth me. — Psa. lxiii:8. 



EARNESTNESS. 81 

Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of 
thy righteous judgments. — Psa. cxix:i64. 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor 
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou 
goest. — Eccl. ixno. 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto 
treasure hid in a field ; the which when a man hath 
found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and 
selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a mer- 
chantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he 
had found one pearl of great price, went and sold 
all that he had, and bought it. — Matt, xiii 144-46. 

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss 
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus 
my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all 
things, and do count them but filth, that I may win 
Christ.— Phil. iii:8. 

LITERATURE. 

Earnestness is the best gift of mental power, and 
deficiency of heart is the cause of many men never 
becoming great. Bulwer. 

Earnestness alone makes life eternity. Carlyle. 

There is no substitute for thorough going, ar- 
dent, and sincere earnestness. Dickens. 

proverbs. 

Earnestness is the soul of work. 
•» To impress others, we must be earnest. 

Without earnestness, no man executes great 
things. 

Earnestness gives brain and is the source of 
mental power. 



82 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



XXXVII. 



ENCOURAGEMENT. 

BIBI^E. 

And David was greatly distressed ; for the peo- 
ple spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the 
people was grieved, every man for his sons and for 
his daughters: but David encouraged himself in 
the Lord his God. — I Sam. xxx : 6. 

Then David said unto the messenger, Thus 
shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing dis- 
please thee, for the sword devoureth one as well 
as another: make thy battle more strong against 
the city, and overthrow it : and encourage thou him. 
— II Sam. xi : 25. 

Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt 
in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and 
the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the 
law of the Lord. — II Chron. xxxi : 4. 

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and 
he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote 
the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and 
he fastened it with nails, that it should not be 
moved. — Isa. vli : 7. 

LITERATURE. 

Little Charley was the dull boy of his school. 
Even his master sometimes taunted him with his 
deficiencies. One day a gentleman who was visiting 
the school looked over some boys who were making 
their first attempt to write. There was a general 
burst of amusement at poor Charley's effort. He 
colored, but was silent. "Never mind, my lad," 
said the gentleman, cheerily, "don't be discouraged ; 



ENVY. 83 

just do your best, and you will be a writer some day. 
I recollect, when I first began to write, being quite 
as awkward as you are ; but I persevered ; and now 
look here." He took a pen, and wrote his name on 
a piece of paper in fine, legible characters. "See 
what I can do now !" he added. Many years after- 
ward that gentleman met Charley again. He has 
turned out one of the most celebrated men of his 
day; and he expressed his firm conviction that he 
owed his success in life, under God's blessing, to 
the encouraging speech made by that school- visitant. 

proverbs. 

Nothing so inspires courage, hope, and confi- 
dence, as encouragement. 

What heart of man is proof against applause? 
Applause is the spur of noble minds. It incites to 
greater deeds. It rouses; it strengthens. It im- 
pels man to do his very best. 

XXXVIII. 
ENVY. 

BIBIX 

And the man waxed great, and went forward 
and grew, until he became very great. For he had 
possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and 
great store of servants: and the Philistines envied 
him. For all the wells which his father's servants 
had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the 
Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with 
earth. — Gen. xvi 113-15. 

And his brethren envied him ; but his father ob- 
served the saying. — Gen. xxxvii:n. 

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying dis- 



84 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

pleased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto 
David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed 
but thousands : and what can he have more but the 
kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day 
and forward. And Saul was afraid of David, be- 
cause the Lord was with him, and was departed 
from Saul. Wherefore when Saul saw that he be- 
haved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 
And Saul was yet more afraid of David, and Saul 
became David's enemy continually. — I Sam. xviii; 
8, 9, 12, 15, 29. 

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they 
were filled with envy, and spake against those 
things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting 
and blaspheming. — Acts xiii:45. 

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The 
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? — James 
iv:S. 

LITERATURE). 

Envy is a weed that grows in all soils and cli- 
mates, and is no less luxuriant in the country than 
in the court ; is not confined to any rank of men or 
extent of fortune, but rages in the breasts of all 
degrees. Lord Clarendon. 

Every other sin hath some pleasure annexed to 
it, or will admit of some excuse; but envy wants 
both: we should strive against it, for if indulged 
in, it will be to us a foretaste of hell upon earth. 

Burton. 

There is some good in public envy, whereas in 
private there is none ; for public envy is as an ostra- 
cism that eclipseth men, when they grow too great ; 
and, therefore, it is a bridle also to great ones to keep 
within bounds. Pope. 

Envy is an ill-natured vice, and is made up of 



ETERNITY. 85 

meanness and malice. It wishes the force of good- 
ness to be strained, and the measure of happiness 
to be abated. It laments over prosperity, and sick- 
ens at the sight of health. It oftentimes wants spirit 
as well as good nature. Jeremy Collier. 

As the rays of the sun, notwithstanding their 
velocity, injure not the eye, by reason of their 
minuteness, so the attacks of envy, notwithstanding 
their number, ought not to wound our virtue by 
reason of their insignificance. Colton. 

proverbs. 

Envy is a kind of praise. 

The beggar envies the beggar. 

Envy shoots at others and wounds herself. 

As a moth gnaws a garment, so envy consumeth 
a man. 

It grieveth one dog that the other goeth into the 
kitchen. 

The envious man waxeth lean with the fatness of 
his neighbour. 

Envy assails the noblest as the winds howl round 
the highest peak. 

Live as far above envy as ever you can, 
For better a dog than an envious man. 



XXXIX. 
ETERNITY. 

BIBM. 

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath 
are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out 
the enemy from before thee, and shall say, Destroy 
them. — Deut. xxxiii 127. 



86 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

But the Lord shall endure for ever : he hath pre- 
pared his throne for judgment. — Psa. ix:y. 

Thy throne is established of old: thou art from 
everlasting. — Psa. xciii :2. 

But thou, O Lord, shalt endure forever, and thy 
remembrance unto all generations. I said, O my 
God, take me not away in the midst of my days: 
thy years are throughout all generations. They 
shall perish, but thou shalt endure ; yea, all of them 
shall wax old like a garment: as a vesture shalt 
thou change them, and they shall be changed. But 
thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 
— Psa. cii:i2, 24, 26, 27. 

Thy name, O Lord, endureth forever; and thy 
memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations. — 
Psa. cxxxv:i3- 

For thus saith the high and lofty One that in- 
habiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in 
the high and holy place; with him also that is of 
a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of 
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite 
ones. — Isa. lvii 115. 

But the Lord is the true God, he is the living 
God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the 
earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able 
to abide his indignation. — Jer x:io. 

Thou, O Lord, remainest forever; thy throne 
from generation to generation. — Lam. v:i9- 

How great are his signs! and how mighty are- 
his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting king- 
dom, and his dominion is from generation to gen- 
eration. — Dan. iv:3- 

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath 
are the everlasting arms. — Deut. xxxiii : 27. 

Verily I say unto you, all sins shall be forgiven 



ETERNITY. 87 

unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith 
soever they shall blaspheme. But he that shall blas- 
pheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgive- 
ness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. — Mark 
iii:28, 29. 

UTERATUR3. 

None can comprehend eternity but the eternal 
God. Eternity is an ocean, whereof we shall never 
see the shore; it is a deep, where we can find no 
bottom; a labyrinth from whence we cannot extri- 
cate ourselves and where we shall ever lose the door. 

Boston. 

Alas! what is man? whether he be deprived of 
that light which is from on high, or whether he dis- 
card it; a frail and trembling creature, standing on 
time, that bleak and narrow isthmus between two 
eternities, he sees nothing but impenetrable dark- 
ness on the one hand, and doubt, distrust, and con- 
jecture still more perplexing on the other. 

Most gladly would he take an observation as to 
whence he has come, or whither he is going. Alas, 
he has not the means; his telescope is too dim, his 
compass too wavering, his plummet too short. Nor 
is that little spot, his present state, one whit more 
intelligible, since it may prove a quicksand that may 
sink in a moment from his feet ; it can afford him no 
certain reckoning as to that immeasurable ocean that 
he may have traversed, or that still more formidable 
one that he must. Colton. 

PROVERBS. 

Time flies, death urges, heaven invites, hell 
threatens. 

The thought of life that ne'er shall cease, has 
something in it like despair. 

A sound head, an honest heart, and an humble 
spirit are the three best guides to eternity. 



88 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

He who takes truth for his guide and duty for 
his end may safely trust to God's providence to 
lead him aright. 

XL. 

EXAMPLE. 

BIBI.K. 

Ye are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have 
lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is 
thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and 
to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light 
of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be 
hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it un- 
der a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth 
light unto all that are in the house. Let your light 
so shine before men, that they may see your good 
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 
—Matt, v: 13-16. 

Having your conversation honest among the 
Gentiles ; that, whereas they speak against you as 
evil-doers, they may by your good works, which 
they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visita- 
tion. — I Peter ii:i2. 

That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, 
and keep the paths of the righteous. — Prov. ii:20. 

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed 
your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 
For I have given you an example, that ye should 
do as I have done to you. — John xiii:i4, 15. 

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark 
them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample. 
— Phil. iii:i7. 

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them 



EXAMPLE. 89 

who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 
— Heb. vi:i2. 

literature;. 

Whatever parent gives his children good instruc- 
tion, and sets them at the same time a bad example, 
may be considered as bringing them food in one 
hand and poison in the other. Balguy. 

We are more speedily and fatally corrupted by 
domestic examples of vice, and particularly when 
they are impressed on our minds as from authority. 

Horace. 

No man is so insignificant as to be sure his ex- 
ample can do no hurt. Lord Clarendon. 

Example is a motive of very prevailing force 
on the actions of men. Rogers. 

Nothing is so infectious as example, and we 
never do great good or evil without producing the 
like. We imitate good actions by emulation, and 
bad ones by the evil of our nature, which shame im- 
prisons until example liberates. La Rochefoucauld. 

Be a pattern to others, and all will go well ; for 
as a whole city is infected by the licentious passions 
and vices of great men, so it is likewise reformed 
by their moderation. Cicero. 

proverbs. 

A good example is the best sermon. 

He who lives well is the best preacher. 

Better an ounce of example than a pound of ad- 
vice. 

If you would lift me you must be on higher 
ground. 

It is a good preacher who follows his own in- 
structions. 

Christ never wrote a tract, but He went about 
doing good. 



9 o GEMS OF WISDOM. 

A minister's life should be a sign board pointing 
the way to heaven. 

Preachers can talk but never teach, 
Unless they practice what they preach. 



XIX 

EXCUSES. 

BIBIyE). 

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the 
way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will fol- 
low thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said 
unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air 
have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to 
lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. 
But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my 
father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their 
dead : but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee ; but 
let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home 
at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, 
having put his hand to the plough, and looking 
back, is fit for the kingdom of God. — Luke xix: 
57-62. 

And they all with one consent began to make 
excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a 
piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: 
I pray thee have me excused. And another said, 
I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove 
them: I pray thee have me excused. And another 
said, I have married a wife, and therefore I can- 
not come. — Luke xiv: 18-20. 



EXCUSES. 91 

literature:. 

And, oftentimes, excusing of a fault, 
Doth make a fault the worse by the excuse ; 
As patches set upon a little breach, 
Discredit more in hiding of the fault, 
Than did the fault before it was so patch'd. 

Shakespeare. 

The Duke of Ossuna, Viceroy of Naples, passing 
through Barcelona, went on board the Cape galley; 
and, passing through the crew of slaves, he asked 
several of them what their offenses were. Every- 
one excused himself upon various pretences: one 
said he was put in out of malice, another by bribery 
of the judge; but all of them unjustly. The Duke 
came at last to a sturdy little black man, whom he 
questioned as to what he was there for? "My 
Lord," said he, "I cannot deny but I am justly put 
in here; for I wanted money, and so took a purse 
near Tarragona, to keep me from starving." The 
Duke, on hearing this, gave him two or three blows 
on the shoulder with his stick, saying, "You rogue ! 
what are you doing among so many honest, inno- 
cent men? Get you out of their company." The 
poor fellow was then set at liberty, while the rest 
were left to tug at the oar. 

proverbs. 

A poor excuse is better than none. 
An unasked excuse infers transgression. 
He that excuses himself, accuses himself. 
The archer that shoots ill has a lie ready. 
That which is customary requires no excuse. 
A bad workman always complains of his tools. 
They are worse than lies ; they are lies guarded. 
One good at making excuses is good for nothing 
else. 



92 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

He that does amiss never lacks excuse. Any 
excuse will serve when one has not a mind to do a 
thing. 

Do not accuse others in order to excuse thyself, 
for it is neither generous nor fair. 



XLIL 
FAILURE. 

BIBIvK. 

Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto 
his people Israel, according to all that he promised : 
there hath not failed one word of all his good 
promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses 
his servant. — I Kings viii 156. 

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they 
shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giv- 
ing up of the ghost. — Job xi : 20. 

He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the 
eyes of his children shall fail. — Job xvii 15. 

Cast me not off in the time of old age ; forsake 
me not when my strength f aileth. — Psa. Ixxi :g. 

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the 
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. — 
Psa. lxxiii:26. 

Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt 
thou comfort me ? Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, 
and for the word of thy righteousness. — Psa. cxxix : 
82, 123. 

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and 
the rod of his anger shall fail. — Prov. xxii:8. 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the 
Word of our God shall stand for ever. — Isa. xl : 8. 

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail 



FAITH. 93 

not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy 
brethren. — Luke xxii 132. 

LITERATURE. 

What keeps persons down in the world, besides 
lack of capacity, is not a philosophical contempt of 
riches or honors, but thoughtlessness and improvi- 
dence, a love of sluggish torpor, and of present 
gratification. It is not from preferring virtue to 
wealth — the goods of the mind to those of fortune — 
that they take no thought for the morrow ; but from 
want of forethought and stern self-command. 

The restless, ambitious man too often directs 
these qualities to an unworthy object; the con- 
tented man is generally deficient in the qualities 
themselves. The one is a stream that flows too often 
in a wrong channel, and needs to have its course 
altered ; the other is a stagnant pool. 

Wm. Matthews. 
Nothing but leaves ! No gathered sheaves 

Of life's fair ripening grain; 
We sow our seeds, lo ! tares and weeds, 
Words, idle words, for earnest deeds; 
We reap with toil and pain, 

Nothing but leaves. Anon. 

proverbs. 

The determined man succeeds, where others fail. 
In the lexicon of youth, there's no such word as 
fail. 

XLIIL 
FAITH. 

BIBLE. 

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him : but 



94 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

I will maintain mine own ways before him. — Job 
xiii :5. 

In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my 
soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? — Psa. xi:i. 

But I have trusted in thy mercy ; my heart shall 
rejoice in thy salvation. — Psa. xiii 15. 

They prevented me in the day of my calamity; 
but the Lord was my stay. — Psa. xviii:i8. 

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and 
thou didst deliver them. — Psa. xxii:4. 

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even 
praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, 
and shall trust in the Lord. — Psa. xl:3. 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen. — Heb. ii: 1. 

For we through the spirit wait for the hope of 
righteousness by faith. — Gal. v:5- 

UT3RATUR3. 

Faith is the subtle chain 
That binds us to the Infinite; the voice 
Of a deep life within, that will remain 
Until we crowd it thence. 

Mrs. B. Oakes Smith. 

Entireness, illimitableness, is indispensable to 
faith. What we believe we must believe wholly 
and without reserve ; wherefore the only perfect and 
satisfying object of faith is God. A faith that sets 
bounds to itself, that will believe so much and no 
more, that will trust thus far and no further, is none. 

Anon. 

Works without faith are like a fish without 
water, it wants the element it should live in. A 
building without a basis cannot stand ; faith is the 



FAITHFULNESS. 95 

foundation, and every good action is as a stone laid. 

Feltham. 

We should act with as much energy as those who 

expect everything from themselves; and we should 

pray with as much earnestness as those who expect 

everything from God. Colton. 

proverbs. 

He can who believes he can. 

To think we are able is to be so. 

Belief is the rudder by which life's ship is steered. 

The man who believes is the man who achieves. 

To believe a thing impossible is the way to make 
it so. 

Faith never stands around with its hands in its 
pockets. 

XUV. 
FAITHFULNESS. 

BIBLE. 

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone 
back unto her people, and unto her gods: return 
thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, In- 
treat me not to leave thee, or to return from follow- 
ing after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; 
and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people 
shall be my people, and thy God my God : Where 
thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried : the 
Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death 
part thee and me. When she saw that she was 
steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left 
speaking unto her. — Ruth i: 15-18. 

LITERATURE. 

A man gave his two infant children in charge 



96 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

of a negro slave, to be by him cared for, and taken 
to a distant port. The ship was wrecked, and had 
to be abandoned. The boats were nearly full. The 
slave had his choice to leave the children, or himself 
be left. He kissed them ; bade the sailors take good 
care of them, and tell his master of his faithfulness ; 
and soon went bravely down with the foundering 
ship. Anon. 

Many fill their life with regrets for being con- 
fined to such a narrow sphere of usefulness. If they 
only were in the ministerial office, or had millions 
of money, they would do so and so; but what can 
an ordinary laborer, a poor Sunday-school teacher, 
accomplish ? 

Friend, be content to serve God where he has 
placed you; for there precisely you can accomplish 
the most. It is better to make the best of what you 
have, than to fret and pout for what you have not. 
The man with one talent is never accountable for 
five ; but, for his one, he must give as strict an ac- 
count as the other for his five. It may require more 
humility to husband one talent than five, and, so far 
as the improvement or misimprovement of either is 
concerned, they are both equally important in the 
sight of God. The king's million and the widow's 
mite are worth the same with the Eternal. Anon. 

proverbs. 

The glory of a servant is fidelity. 
' Fidelity is three-fourths of success in business. 

Fidelity is the sister of justice; her words are 
his bond. 

Avoid being entrusted, but do thy utmost to 
discharge the trust thou hast undertaken. 



FAMILY. 97 

XLV. 
FAMILY. 

BIBLE. 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, 
choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether 
the gods which your fathers served that were on 
the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amor- 
ites, in whose land ye dwell : but as for me and my 
house, we will serve the Lord. — Joshua xxiv: 15. 

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that 
walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour 
of thine hands : happy shalt thou be, and it shall be 
well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine 
by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive 
plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus 
shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. 
The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou 
shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy 
life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and 
peace upon Israel. — Psalm cxxviii. 

LITERATURE. 

A traveler in Germany saw a singular sight in 
a tavern where he stopped for dinner. After din- 
ner, the landlord put on the floor a great dish of 
soup, and gave a loud whistle. There came into the 
room a big dog, a large cat, an old raven, and a very 
large rat with a bell about its neck. They all four 
went to the dish, and, without disturbing each other, 
fed together. After they had dined, the dog, cat, 
and rat lay before the fire, while Mr. Raven, in his 
black coat, hopped around the room. 

The landlord had trained these animals so that 
not one of them offered to hurt any of the others. 



98 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

He said that the rat was the most useful of the four ; 
for the noise he made by tinkling his bell, as he 
went through the house, drove all the rats and mice 
away. The captain says he thinks, that if a dog 
and rat, a cat and a bird, can live happily together, 
little children, especially brothers and sisters, ought 
to do the same. 

proverbs. 

Wedlock is a padlock. 

Who weds a sot to get his cot will lose the cot 
and keep the sot. 

Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for 
the number of his days shall be double. 

The woman's occupation and her mission is at 
home, a home other than her father's and knit with 
dearer ties. 

Take heed that what charmeth thee is real, nor 
springeth of thine own imagination ; and suffer not 
trifles to win thy love. 

Who can guess the potency of woman's love and 
patience, her precious influence, her sweet strength, 
to bless a husband's home. 

She that weds well will wisely match her love, 
Nor be below her husband — nor above. 



XLVI. 
FATHER— GOD. 

BIBLE. 

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father 
which is in heaven is perfect. — Matt. v:48. 

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the 
widows, is God in his holy habitation. — Psa. lxviii :5. 



FATHER— GOD. 99 

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord 
pitieth them that fear him. — Psa. ciii 113. 

But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are 
the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the 
work of thy hand. — Isa. lxiv:8. 

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our 
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, 
so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our sins ; for we also forgive every 
one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into 
temptation; but deliver us from evil. — Luke xi:2-4. 

UT3RATUR3. 

It was the touching answer of a Christian sailor, 
when asked why he remained so calm in a fearful 
storm, when the sea seemed ready to devour the 
ship. He was not sure that he could swim ; but he 
said, "Though I sink, I shall only drop into the hol- 
low of my Father's hand; for He holds all these 
waters there." From Arnot. 

Similar was the well-known answer of a child, 
under like circumstances of danger and alarm: — 
"I never fear when my Father's with me." 

"My life hangs by a single thread; but that 
thread is in a Father's hand." /. H. Evans. 

proverbs. 

God delays but does not forget. 

He is always striving for our good. 

All things proclaim the existence of a God. 

Live near to Him, and your soul will be at peace. 

There is a never-sleeping eye, seeing our hidden 
faults. 

The glory of the Omnipotent bursts through 
everything. i L *i &3 



ioo GEMS OF WISDOM. 

God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and 
its circumference beyond space. 

Live near to God, and everything will look little 
in contrast with the realities of eternity. 



XLVII. 
FEARING GOD. 

BIBLE. 

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not; for 
God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be 
before your faces, that ye sin not. — Exodus xx : 20. 

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of 
the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear 
him. — Deut. viii : 6. 

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth, with 
all your heart: for consider how great things he 
hath done for you. — I Sam. xii : 24. 

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the in- 
habitants of the world stand in awe of him. — Psa. 
xxxiii : 8. 

Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not 
tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand 
for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that 
it cannot pass it ; and though the waves thereof toss 
themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they 
roar, yet can they not pass over it? — Jer. v: 22. 

And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid 
of them that kill the body, and after that have no 
more that they can do: but I will forewarn you 
whom ye shall fear ; Fear him, which, after he hath 
killed, hath power to cast into hell ; yea, I say unto 
you, Fear him. — Luke xii : 4, 5. 



FIDELITY. 101 

LITERATURE. 

An African traveler says, that, when among one 
of the most degraded and savage tribes he met with, 
his attention was attracted by the idol of the tribe 
stuck upon a high pole, as if intended to convey the 
idea that he could see all around the country, and 
every one of the people. And such is their super- 
stitious faith, that they believe that every act of dis- 
honesty would be seen by their god, if they were 
guilty of such an act, and that they would be pun- 
ished accordingly. The effect of this faith is, that 
no dishonest act is perpetrated within sight of this 
idol, and the most valuable property is perfectly se- 
cure. 

proverbs. 

Concealed cowards insult known ones. 

Fear guides more to duty than gratitude. 

Fear is the tax which conscience pays to guilt. 

Our fears are always more numerous than our 
dangers. 

Half our fears are baseless, and the other half 
discreditable. 

XLVIII. 
FIDELITY. 

BIBLE. 

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling 
into a far country, who called his own servants, and 
delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he 
gave five talents, to another two, and to another 
one; to every man according to his several ability; 
and straightway took his journey. Then he that 
had received the five talents went and traded with 
the same, and made them other five talents. And 



102 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

likewise he that had received two, he also gained 
other two. But he that had received one went and 
digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 

After a long time the lord of those servants com- 
eth, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had 
received five talents came and brought other five 
talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five 
talents: behold, I have gained beside them five 
talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, 
thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been 
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler 
over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy 
lord. 

He also that had received two talents came 
and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two tal- 
ents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside 
them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and 
faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few 
things, I will make thee ruler over many things: 
enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

Then he which had received the one talent 
came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou 
art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not 
sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed : 
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent 
in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou 
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I 
reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have 
not strewed: thou oughtest therefore to have put 
my money to the exchangers, and then at my com- 
ing I should have received mine own with usury. 
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto 
him which hath ten talents. 

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and 
he shall have abundance ; but from him that hath not 



FIDELITY. 103 

shall be taken away even that which he hath. And 
cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness : 
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. — Matt. 
xxv : 14-20. 

LITERATURE. 

Faithful found 
Among the faithless, faithful only he ; 
Among innumerable false, unmov'd, 
Unshaked, unseduced, unterrified; 
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal 
Nor number, nor example with him wrought 
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind 
Though single. Milton. 

His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; 
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate; 
His tears pure messengers sent from his heart ; 
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth. 

Shakespeare. 
Oh! the tender ties, 
Close twisted with the fibres of the heart ! 
Which broken, break them, and drain off the soul 
Of human joy, and make it pain to live. Young. 

Come rest in his bosom, my own stricken deer ! 
Tho' the herd hath fled from thee, thy home is still 

here; 
Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'ercast, 
And the heart and the hand all thine own to the last. 

Moore. 
proverbs. 

Her oaths are oracles. 
That one error fills him with faults. 
Were man but constant, he were perfect. 
Let a man believe you suspect his fidelity, and he 
will soon verify your opinion. 



104 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



XLIX. 
FLATTERY. 

BIBLE. 

They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: 
with flattering lips and with a double heart do they 
speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, 
and the tongue that speaketh proud things. — Psa. 
xii 12-3. 

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until 
his iniquity be found to be hateful. — Psa. xxxvi:2. 

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art right- 
eous, him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor 
him. — Prov. xxiv:24. 

A righteous man falling down before the wicked 
is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. — 
Prov. xxv :26. 

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by 
it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. — Prov. 
xxvi :28. 

He that rebuketh a man, afterward shall find 
more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue. 
— Prov. xxvii : 23. 

A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a 
net for his feet. — Prov. xxix:5. 

And such as do wickedly against the covenant 
shall be corrupt by flatteries: but the people that 
do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 
— Dan. XK32. 

LITERATURE. 

Beware of flattery, 'tis a flowery weed 
Which oft offends the very idol vice 
Whose shrine it would perfume. Fenton. 



FLATTERY. 105 

Flattery is a sort of bad money, to which our 
vanity gives currency. La Rochefoucauld. 

Flattery is an ensnaring quality, and leaves a 
very dangerous impression. It swells a man's im- 
agination, entertains his vanity, and drives him to 
a doting upon his own person. Jeremy Collier. 

We do not always like people the better for pay- 
ing us all the court which we ourselves think our 
due. Greville. 

Of praise a mere glutton, he swallow'd what came, 
And the puff of a dunce he mistook it for fame ; 
'Till his relish grown callous, almost to disease, 
Who pepper'd the highest was surest to please. 

Goldsmith. 

People generally despise where they would flat- 
ter, and cringe to those they would gladly overtop ; 
so that truth and ceremony are two things. 

Antoninus. 

Nothing is so great an instance of ill-manners 
as flattery. If you flatter all the company you 
please none ; if you flatter only one or two, you af- 
front all the rest. Swift. 

proverbs. 
Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise. 
Flatterers are like cats that lick and then scratch. 
Flattery is sweet food to those who can swal- 
low it. 

Flattery sits in the parlor while plain dealing is 
kicked out of doors. 

Many who would fight if offered a bribe may be 
flattered into jumping off a house. 

'Tis an old maxim in the schools, 
That flattery is the food of fools. 



io6 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



FORETASTES OF GLORY. 

BIBIX 

For ye know that if our earthly house of this 
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of 
God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the 
heavens. — II Cor. v: I. 

And I knew such a man, whether in the body, 
or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; 
How that he was caught up into paradise, and 
heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for 
a man to uter. — II Cor. xii:3»4. 

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, 
the things which God hath prepared for them that 
love him. But God hath revealed them unto us 
by his Spirit : for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, 
the deep things of God. — I Cor. ii: 9-10. 

literature:. 

Bunyan brings his pilgrims into the land of Beu- 
lah, which was situated near the Holy City. To 
those who abide here, doubt, fear, and want are un- 
known. Plenty abounds; the fragrant air rings 
with melody from morn to even; and the shining 
ones walk among the inhabitants. They could see 
the city of pearl and precious stones, whose streets 
were gold; and were filled with strong desire to 
enter there. 

proverbs. 

The glory of this life is transient. 
No attribute is higher than virtue. 
Conscience is the true guide to glory. 



FORGETTING GOD. 107 

The glory of any age is its coterie of great men. 

Glory built on selfish principles is shame and 
guilt. 

Glory springs from the silent conquest of our- 
selves. 

LI. 
FORGETTING GOD. 

BIBLE. 

Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the 
covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with 
you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness 
of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbid- 
den thee. — Deut. iv : 23. 

But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that for- 
get my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that 
troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that 
number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, 
and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter : because 
when I called, ye did not answer : when I spake, ye 
did not hear ; but did evil before mine eyes, and did 
choose that wherein I delighted not. Therefore 
thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall 
eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my ser- 
vants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty : behold, my 
servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed. — 
Isa. lxv: 11-13. 

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not 
forget thy word. I will never forget thy precepts : 
for with them thou hast quickened me. — Psa. cxix: 
16-93. 

LITERATURE. 

"Your father had a battle with Apollyon," said 
Great-Heart to Samuel, "at a place yonder before 



io8 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

us, in a narrow passage, just beyond Forgetful 
Green. And, indeed, the place is the most dreadful 
place in all these parts ; for, if at any time pilgrims 
meet with any brunt, it is when they forget what 
favors they have received, and how unworthy they 
are of them. This is the place, also, where others 
have been hard put to it. But more of the place 
when we come to it ; for I persuade myself, that, to 
this day, there remains either some signs of the bat- 
tle, or some monument to testify that such a battle 
was fought there." Bunyan. 

proverbs. 

He who is negligent, will soon become poor. 

Shakespeare said, "Self-love is not so vile a sin 
as self-negligence. 

Negligence is the rust of the soul, and a little 
may breed great mischief. 



LIL 
FORGIVENESS. 

BIBI,E. 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye 
which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit 
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be 
tempted. — Gal. vi:i. 

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him ; 
and if he repent, forgive him. — Luke xvii:3- 

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against 
thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and 
him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained 
thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take 
with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of 
two or three witnesses every word may be estab- 



FORGIVENESS. 109 

lished. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell 
it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the 
church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and 
a publican. 

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, 
how oft shall my brother sin against me, and 
I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto 
him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, 
Until seventy times seven. — Matt, xviii '.15-17, 21- 
22. 

literature;. 

Good nature and good sense must ever join; 
To err is human — to forgive divine. Pope. 

Great souls forgive not injuries till time 
Has put their enemies into their power, 
That they may show forgiveness is their own. 

Dryden. 
Forgiveness to the injured does belong, 
But they ne'er pardon who have done the wrong. 

Butler. 

He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge 

over which he must pass himself; for every man 

has need to be forgiven. Lord Herbert. 

It is in vain for you to expect, it is impudent for 

you to ask of God forgiveness on your own behalf, 

if you refuse to exercise this forgiving temper with 

respect to others. Hoadley. 

You should forgive many things in others, but 

nothing in yourself. Ausonius. 

Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying 

for forgiveness, or else forgiving another. Richter. 

To have the power to forgive, 

Is empire and prerogative, 

And 'tis in crowns a nobler gem, 

To grant a pardon than condemn. Butler. 



no GEMS OF WISDOM. 

PROVERBS. 

The brave only know how to forgive. 
The highest charity is charity towards the un- 
charitable. 

A good word for a bad one is worth much and 
costs little. 

To return evil for good is devilish; good for 
good, human, good for evil, divine. 

Lord, grant I may not have to live 
With natures that cannot forgive. 
I am loath to think the man is living 
That feels not better for forgiving. 

LIIL 

FRIENDSHIP. 

BIBI.S. 

And Saul said unto him, whose son art thou, 
thou young man? And David answered, I am 
the son of thy servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite. — 
I Sam. xvii : 58. 

And it came to pass, when he had made an end 
of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan 
was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved 
him as his own soul. — I Sam. xviiiii. 

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, be- 
cause he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan 
stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, 
and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his 
sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. — I Sam. 
xviii : 3, 4, 5. 

Then Jonathan said to David, to-morrow is the 
new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy 
seat will be empty. And when thou hast stayed 



FRIENDSHIP. in 

three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and 
come to the place where thou didst hide thyself 
when the business was in hand, and shalt remain 
by the stone Ezel. And I will shoot three arrows 
on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 
And behold, I will send a lad saying, Go find out 
the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold 
the arrows are on this side of thee, take them ; then 
come thou : for there is peace to thee, and no hurt ; 
as the Lord liveth. But if I say thus unto the 
young man, behold the arrows are beyond thee ; go 
thy way : for the Lord hath sent thee away. — I Sam. 
xx:i8-i9, 21-23. 

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and 
came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? 
What is mine iniquity, and what is my sin before 
thy father, that he seek my life? And he said unto 
him, God forbid ; thou shalt not die : behold my 
father will do nothing, either great or small, but 
that he will shew it me; and why should my father 
hide this thing from me? it is not so. Then said 
Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desir- 
eth, I will even do it for thee. — I Sam. xx:i, 2, 4. 

And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose, and went to 
David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in 
God. And he said unto him, Fear not; for the 
hand of Saul my father shall not find thee : and thou 
shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto 
thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. — I 
Sam. xxiii:i6, 17. 

LITERATURE. 

Friendship improves happiness, and abates mis- 
ery, by the doubling of our joy, and the dividing 
of our grief. Cicero. 

As the yellow gold is tried in the fire so the faith 



ii2 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

of friendship can only be known in the season of 
adversity. Ovid. 

Reproach, or mute disgust, is the reward 
Of candid friendship, that disdains to hide 
Unpalatable truth. Smollet. 

Friendship is compounded of all those soft in- 
gredients which can insinuate themselves and slide 
insensibly into the nature and temper of men of the 
most different constitutions, as well as of those 
strong and active spirits which can make their way 
into perverse and obstinate dispositions ; and be- 
cause discretion is always predominant in it, it works 
and prevails least upon fools. Wicked men are 
often reformed by it, weak men seldom. Clarendon. 

proverbs. 

A true friend is forever a friend. 

Friendship — one soul in two bodies. 

Friendship is love without his wings. 

Adversity is the touchstone of friendship. 

Fortune makes friends, misfortune tries them. 

However rare true love, true friendship is rarer. 

A good friend is worth more than a near kins- 
man. 

It is not flesh and blood but the heart that makes 
brothers. 

Be courteous to all but intimate with few. 

A friend that is won with a feather may be lost 
with a straw. 

LIV. 

FRUGALITY. 

BIBIX 

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; 
he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. There 



FRUGALITY. 113 

is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling 
of the wise: but a foolish man spendeth it up. — 
Prov. xxi: 17, 20. 

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, 
Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing 
be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, 
and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the 
five barley-loaves, which remained over and above 
them that had eaten. — John vi:i2, 13. 

And he said also unto his disciples, There was 
a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the 
same was accused unto him that he had wasted his 
goods. And he called him, and said unto him, 
How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account 
of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer 
steward. — Luke xvi:i, 2. 

UTERATUR3. 

Frugality may be termed the daughter of pru- 
dence, the sister of temperance, and the parent of 
liberty. He that is extravagant will quickly be- 
come poor, and poverty will enforce dependence and 
invite corruption. Johnson. 

Frugality is founded upon the principle that all 
riches have limits. Burke. 

The world has not yet learned the riches of fru- 
gality. Cicero. 

PROVERBS. 

It comes too late when all is spent. 
Habits of industry are a fair estate. 
Industry and frugality produce wealth. 
Frugality is the mother of all virtues and their 
sure guardian. 



ii4 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

He that spareth in everything is a niggard, or 
hopelessly insane. 

Frugality is the daughter of prudence, the sister 
of temperance and the parent of liberty. 



LV. 

GIFTS. 

BIBLE. 

Also for the courses of the priests and the Le- 
vites, and for all the work of the service of the 
house of the Lord, and for all the vessels of service 
in the house of the Lord. He gave of gold by 
weight, for things of gold, for all instruments of all 
manner of service : silver also for all instruments of 
silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of 
service: Even the weight for the candlesticks of 
gold, and for their lamps of gold by weight for 
every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and 
for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the 
candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, accord- 
ing to the use of every candlestick. And by weight 
he gave gold for the tables of shew-bread, for every 
table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver: 
Also pure gold for the flesh-hooks, and the bowls, 
and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave 
gold by weight for every bason ; and likewise silver 
by weight for every bason of silver. — I Chron. 
xxviii: 13-17. 

LITERATURE. 

Those gifts are ever the most acceptable which 
the giver has made precious. Ovid. 

Give freely to him that deserveth well, and ask- 



GIFTS. 115 

eth nothing ; and that is a way of giving to thyself. 

Fuller. 

There is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the 
fingers. Seneca. 

Your gift is princely, but it comes too late, 
And falls like sunbeams on a blasted blossom. 

Suckling. 

Policy counselleth a gift, given wisely and in season ; 

And policy afterwards approveth it, for great is the 

influence of gifts. Tupper. 

Win her with gifts, if she respect not words ; 
Dumb jewels often, in their silent kind, 
More quick than words do move a woman's mind. 

Shakespeare. 

He was one of those men, moreover, who pos- 
sess almost every gift except the gift of the power 
to use them. Kingsley. 

And with them, words of so sweet breath compos'd 
As make the things more rich ; their perfume lost, 
Take these again ; for to the noble mind 
Rich gifts wax poor, when givers prove unkind. 

Shakespeare. 
I never cast a flower away, 

A gift of one who car'd for me ; 
A flower — a faded flower, 
But it was done reluctantly. 

L. B. Landon. 

PROVERBS. 

A present blindeth the eyes. 
Presents make friendship warm. 
A present is cheap but love is dear. 
The last benefit is the one most remembered. 
Whatever is given to the poor is laid up in 
heaven. 



u6 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

He is more noble who deserves than he who con- 
fers benefits ? 

LVI. 
GOD. 

BIBLE. 

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst 
thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is 
as high as heaven ; what canst thou do ? deeper than 
hell ; what canst thou know ? the measure thereof is 
longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.- — 
Job XK7-9. 

He stretcheth out the north over the empty 
place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He 
bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and 
the cloud is not rent under them. He holdeth back 
the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon 
it. He hath compassed the waters with bounds, 
until the day and night come to an end. The pillars 
of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his reproof. 
He divideth the sea with its power, and by his un- 
derstanding he smiteth through the proud. By his 
Spirit he hath garnished the heavens ; his hand hath 
formed the crooked serpent. Lo, these are parts 
of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of 
him? but the thunder of his power who can under- 
stand. — Job XXVK7-14. 

God is a Spirit : and they that worship him must 
worship him in spirit and in truth. — John iv '.24. 

literature. 

Hail source of being ! universal soul 

Of heaven and earth ! essential presence hail ! 

To thee I bend the knee ; to thee my thoughts 



GOD. 117 

Continual climb ; who, with a master hand, 
Hast the great whole into perfection touch'd. 

Thompson. 
Spirit ! whose life-sustaining presence fills 
Air, ocean, central depths, by man untried, 
Thou for thy worshippers hast sanctified 
All place, all time ! The silence of the hills 
Breathes veneration ; — founts and choral rills 
Of Thee are murmuring ; — to its inmost glade 
The living forest with Thy whisper thrills, 
And there is holiness in every shade. 

Mrs. Hemans. 
Who guides below, and rules above : 
The great Disposer, and the mighty King. 
Than He none greater, next Him none, 
That can be, is, or was : 
Supreme, He singly fills the throne. Horace. 

What can 'scape the eye 
Of God, all-seeing, or deceive His heart, 
Omniscient ! Milton. 

Though all the doors are sure, and all our servants 
As sure bound with their sleeps, yet there is One 
That wakes above, whose eye no sleep can bind ; 
He sees through doors, and darkness, and our 

thoughts ; 
And, therefore, as we should avoid with fear, 
To think amiss ourselves before his search, 
So should we be as curious to shun 
All cause, that others think not ill of us. 

Chapman. 
proverbs. 

God delays but does not forget. 
He is always striving for our good. 
All things proclaim the existence of a God. 
Live near to Him, and your soul will be at 
peace. 



n8 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

There is a never-sleeping eye seeing our hidden 
faults. 

The glory of the Omnipotent bursts through 
everything. 

God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and 
its circumference beyond space. 

Live near to God and everything will look little 
in contrast with the realities of eternity. 



LVII. 
GODLINESS. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is 
certain we can carry nothing out. And having 
food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But 
they that will be rich fall into temptation and a 
snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 
which drown men in destruction and perdition. For 
the love of money is the root of all evil : which while 
some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, 
and pierced themselves through with many sor- 
rows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; 
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, 
love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of 
faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art 
also called, and hast professed a good profession be- 
fore many witnesses. — I Tim. vi:6-i2. 

According as his divine power hath given unto 
us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, 
through the knowledge of him that hath called us 
to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us ex- 
ceeding great and precious promises; that by these 
ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having 



GRACE. 119 

escaped the corruption that is in the world through 
lust. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to 
your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and 
to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, pa- 
tience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, 
brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, char- 
ity. — II Peter i 13-7. 

literature;. 

When the ungodly and the godly fall into the 
same sin, how can we distinguish between them? 
By a simple test — a test by which you may know 
a sheep from a swine, when both have fallen into 
the same slough, and are, in fact, so bemired, that 
you can hardly tell the one from the other. The un- 
clean animal, in circumstances agreeable to its na- 
ture, wallows in the mire ; but the sheep — type of the 
godly — fills the air with its bleating, nor ceases to 
struggle to get out. Dr. Guthrie. 

proverbs. 

Goodness is the supreme beauty. 

A good name is a sound inheritance. 

A good action is never thrown away. 

A good name keeps its lustre in the dark. 

There is no good that doth not cost a price. 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. 

The good man standeth calm and strong, for 
God is his ally. 

A good understanding have all they that keep 
the commandments of God. 

LVIII. 
GRACE. 

BIBLE. 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us 



120 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that 
ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, 
strengthen, settle you. — I Pet. v:io. 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among 
us (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only 
begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. 
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace 
for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but 
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. — John i:i4, 
16, 17. 

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love 
wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in 
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by 
grace ye are saved) ; and hath raised us up together, 
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the 
exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness 
toward us, through Christ Jesus. For by grace are 
ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves : 
it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man 
should boast. For we are his workmanship, created 
in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath 
before ordained that we would walk in them. — Eph. 
ii 14-10. 

UTERATURE. 

The Gospel comes to the sinner at once, with 
nothing short of complete forgiveness as the start- 
ing-point of all his efforts to be holy. It does not 
say, "Go and sin no more, and I will not condemn 
thee" ; it says at once, "Neither do I condemn thee ; 
go and sin no more." Bonar. 

As the word mercy, in its primary signification, 
has relation to some creature, either actually in a 
suffering state or obnoxious to it; so grace, in its 
proper and strict sense, always presupposes un- 
worthiness in its object. Hence, whenever anything 



GRATITUDE. 121 

valuable is communicated, the communication of it 
cannot be of grace, any further than the person on 
whom it is conferred is considered as unworthy by 
him who confers it. For, as far as any degree of 
worth appears, the province of grace ceases, and 
that of equity takes place. Grace and worthiness, 
therefore, cannot be connected in the same act, and 
for the same end. Booth. 

proverbs. 

Grace is opposed to sin. 

There is no growth without life. 

Like stars, grace shines brightest in the dark. 

Grace is the outward expression of the inward 
harmony of the soul. 

It must be wrought in you through patient labor 
and suffering. 

LIX. 

GRATITUDE. 

BIBIJS. 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his 
presence with singing. 

Know ye that the Lord he is God : it is he that 
hath made us, and not we ourselves ; we are his peo- 
ple, and the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and 
into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, 
and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his 
mercy is everlasting: and his truth endureth to all 
generations. — Psa. c. 

LITERATURE. 

If you consider the universe as one body, you 
shall find society and conversation to supply the of- 



122 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

fice of the blood and spirits ; and it is gratitude that 
makes them circulate. Look over the whole cre- 
ation, and you shall see that the band or cement that 
holds together all the parts of this great and glorious 
fabric is gratitude, or something like it: you may 
observe it in all the elements; for does not the air 
feed the flame? and does not the flame at the same 
time warm and enlighten the air? 

Is not the sea always sending forth as well as 
taking in ? And does not the earth quit scores with 
all the elements, in the noble fruits and productions 
that issue from it? And in all the light and influ- 
ence that the heavens bestow upon this lower world, 
though the lower world cannot equal their benefac- 
tion, yet, with a kind of grateful return, it reflects 
those rays that it cannot recompense ; so that there 
is some return, however, though there can be no 
requital. Dr. South. 

proverbs. 

God dwells in a grateful heart. 

Cicero called gratitude the mother of the virtues. 

Gratitude is not only the memory, but the hom- 
age of the heart. 

Gratitude to God makes even a temporal blessing 
a foretaste of heaven. 

To a generous mind, gratitude is the heaviest 
debt, when it is not in our power to repay it. 



LX. 

HAPPINESS. 

BIBLE). 

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the coun- 
sel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sin- 
ners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his 



HAPPINESS. 123 

delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his law doth 
he meditate day and night. And he shall be like 
a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth 
forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not 
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 
— Psa. i:i-3. 

How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! 
therefore the children of men put their trust under 
the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly 
satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou 
shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. 
— Psa. xxxvi : 7, 8. 

Happy is that people, that is in such a case : yea, 
happy is that people whose God is the Lord. — Psa. 
cxliv:i5. 

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his 
help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. — Psa. 
cxlvi :$. 

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the 
man that getteth understanding: for the merchan- 
dise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, 
and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more 
precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst 
desire are not to be compared unto her. Length 
of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand 
riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleas- 
antness, and all her paths are peace. — Prov. iii: 
13-17- 

LITERATURE. 

The sweetest bird builds near the ground, 
The loveliest flower springs low; 

And we must stoop for happiness 

If we its worth would know. Swain. 

True happiness is of a retired nature, and an 
enemy to pomp and noise. It arises, in the first 



124 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and, in the 
next, from the friendship and conversation of a few 
select friends. Addison. 

To be happy, the passion must be cheerful and 
gay, not gloomy and melancholy. A propensity to 
hope and joy is real riches; one to fear and sorrow, 
real poverty. Hume. 

True happiness is not the growth of earth, 

The soil is fruitless if you seek it there ; 
'Tis an exotic of celestial birth, 

And never blooms but in celestial air. 
Sweet plant of Paradise! its seeds are sown 

In here and there a breast of heavenly mould, 
It rises slow, and buds, but ne'er was known 

To blossom here — the climate is too cold. 

Sheridan. 

Happiness depends on the prudent constitution 
of the habits ; and it is the business of religion, not 
so much to extinguish our desires, as to regulate and 
direct them to valuable well chosen objects. Paley. 

Since happiness is necessarily the supreme ob- 
ject of our desires, and duty the supreme rule of our 
actions, there can be no harmony in our being except 
our happiness coincides with our duty. Whewell. 

proverbs. 

Children and fools have merry lives. 

The joy that isn't shared dies young. 

Happiness is a bird all pursue but none catch. 

As much of heaven is visible as we have eyes 
to see. 

Joy like the ague has one good day between two 
bad ones. 

No faculty so happy as the faculty of thinking 
you are happy. 



HASTE. 125 

'Tis not what we have but what we enjoy that 
makes us happy. 

All who joy would win must share it. Happi- 
ness was born a twin. 



LXI. 
HASTE. 

BIBI/E. 

I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto 
thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to 
keep thy commandments. — Psa. cxix 159, 60. 

He that is slow to wrath is of great understand- 
ing: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. — 
Prov. xiv:29. 

Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? 
there is more hope of a fool than of him. — Prov. 
xxxix : 20. 

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine 
heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for 
God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore 
let thy words be few. — Eccl. v:2. 

Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou 
art in the way with him; lest at any time the ad- 
versary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge 
deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into 
prison. — Matt. v:25. 

UT3RATURS. 

Running together all about, 
The servants put each other out, 
Till the grave master had decreed, 
The more haste, ever the worst speed. 

Churchill. 



126 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Haste and rashness are storms and tempests, 
breaking and wrecking business ; but nimbleness is 
a full, fair wind, blowing it with speed to haven. 

Fuller. 
You have read in your own history of that hero 
who, when an overwhelming force was in full pur- 
suit, and all his followers were urging him to more 
rapid flight, coolly dismounted, in order to repair 
a flaw in his horse's harness. Whilst busied with 
the broken buckle, the distant cloud swept down in 
nearer thunder; but just as the prancing hoofs and 
eager spears were ready to dash down upon him, the 
flaw was mended, the clasp was fastened, the steed 
was mounted, and, like a swooping falcon, he had 
vanished from their view. The broken buckle would 
have left him on the field a dismounted and inglori- 
ous prisoner; the timely delay sent him in safety 
back to his bustling comrades. There is in daily 
life the same luckless precipitancy, and the same 
profitable delay. Rev. James Hamilton. 

proverbs. 

Take time for all things. 

A prudent haste is wisdom's leisure. 

Hasty councils are seldom prosperous. 

Fraud and deceit are ever in a hurry. 

Don't act in haste and repent at leisure. 

Haste is of the devil, and often brings shame. 

It is the beginning of wrath and brings repent- 
ance. 

LXII. 

HEARING THE WORD. 

BIBI^. 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of 
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise 



HEARING THE WORD. 127 

man, which built his house upon a rock: and the 
rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds 
blew, and beat upon that house ; and it fell not : for 
it was founded upon a rock. And every one that 
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, 
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his 
house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and 
the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon 
that house ; and it fell : and great was the fall of it. 
— Matt, vii : 24-27. 

Hear ye, therefore, the parable of the sower. 
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, 
and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked 
one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his 
heart. This is he which received seed by the way- 
side. But he thaf received the seed into stony 
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and 
anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in 
himself, but dureth for a while : for when tribulation 
or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and 
by he is offended. He also that received seed 
among the thorns is he that heareth the word ; and 
the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of 
riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 
But he that received seed into the good ground is he 
that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which 
also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hun- 
dredfold, some sixty, some thirty. — Matt, xiii: 
18-23. 

UT3RATUR3. 

Many men take no pleasure in flowers, or care 
any further for them than to look upon them, smell 
them, and have them in their hands; but the bees 
draw from them both honey and wax, and the skil- 
ful apothecary maketh many medicines of them 
against divers and sundry diseases. Thus many 



128 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

hear sermons only for their pleasure, for the ele- 
gance of the style, delicacy of the words, smooth- 
ness of the language, and gracefulness of the de- 
livery, but this is but to make a nosegay to smell 
for a while, and cast it anon after into a corner ; to 
hear the word gladly, but in time of temptation to 
fall away. Spencer. 

There are four different kinds of hearers of the 
Word, those like a sponge, that suck up good and 
bad together, and let both run out immediately, — 
"having ears, and hearing not" ; those like a sand- 
glass, that let what enters in at one ear pass out at 
the other, — hearing without thinking; those like a 
strainer, letting go the good, and retaining the bad ; 
and those like a sieve, letting go the chaff, and re- 
taining the good grain. Boston. 

proverbs. 

Hear all and say nothing. 
Hear both sides and be just. 
He who will not hear must feel. 
From hearing comes wisdom, from speaking re- 
pentence. 



LXIII. 
HEAVEN. 

BIBIX 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and 
come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon 
their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness, and 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. — Isa. xxxv:io. 

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall 
the heat nor sun smite them : for he that hath mercy 



HEAVEN. 129 

on them shall lead them, even by the springs of 
water shall he guide them. — Isa. xlix:io. 

He shall enter into peace ; they shall rest in their 
beds, each one walking in his uprightness. — Isa. 
lvii :2. 

But, as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, 
the things which God hath prepared for them that 
love him. — I Cor. ii 19. 

Blessed are ye that hunger now ; for ye shall be 
filled. Blessed are ye that weep now; for ye shall 
laugh. — Luke vi:2i. 

There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people 
of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he 
also hath ceased from his own works, as God did 
from his. Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that 
rest, lest any man fall after the same example of 
unbelief. — Heb. iv :g- 1 1 . 

And there shall be no more curse : but the throne 
of God and of the Lamb shall be in it ; and his ser- 
vants shall serve him. — Rev. xxii:3. 

literature;. 

Adoration at the throne, activity in the temple, — 
the worship of the heart, the worship of the voice, 
the worship of the hands, — the whole being conse- 
crated and devoted to God, — those are the services 
of the upper sanctuary. Here the flesh is often 
wearied with an hour of worship: there "they rest 
not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy Lord 
God Almighty, which was and is, and is to come." 
Here a week will often see us weary in well-doing: 
there they are drawn on by its own deliciousness to 
larger and larger fulfilments of Jehovah's will. 
Here we must lure ourselves to work by the pros- 
pect of rest hereafter: there the toil is luxury, and 



i 3 o GEMS OF WISDOM. 

the labor recreation; and nothing but jubilees of 
praise, and holidays of higher service, are wanted 
to diversify the long and industrious sabbath of the 
skies. 

And it matters not though sometimes the celestial 
citizens are represented as always singing, and 
sometimes as always flying; sometimes as always 
working, and sometimes as always resting : for there 
the work is rest, and every movement song ; and the 
"many mansions" make one temple, and the whole 
being of its worshippers one tune, — one mighty an- 
them, long as eternity, and large as its burden, the 
praise of the great Three-One, — the self-renewing 
and ever-sounding hymn, in which the flight of 
every seraph, and the harp of every saint, and the 
smile of every raptured spirit, is a several note, and 
repeats ever over again, "Holy, holy, holy Lord God 
Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 

Dr. J. Hamilton. 

PROVERBS. 

Heaven's harmony is universal love. 

Aid yourself and heaven will aid you. 

We are near to heaven when we forget our- 
selves. 

He who seldom thinks of heaven is not likely to 
get there. 

He will never enter heaven who desires to en- 
ter there alone. 

Don't growl about the world until you are sure 
of a better one hereafter. 

It is heaven alone that is given away, only God 
may be had for the asking. 



HIGH IDEALS. 131 



LXIV. 
HIGH IDEALS. 

BIBIX 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is 
certain we can carry nothing out. And having food 
and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they 
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, 
and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which 
drown men in destruction and perdition. For the 
love of money is the root of all evil: which while 
some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, 
and pierced themselves through with many sor- 
rows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things ; 
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, 
love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of 
faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art 
also called, and hast professed a good profession 
before many witnesses. — I Tim. vi:6-i2. 

LITERATURE. 

Some time ago, half a dozen young men, dressed 
in green, were shooting at a target with bows and 
arrows, when the arrows of one of them invariably 
struck the earth, on account of his aiming too low. 
"Aim higher," cried out one of his companions. 
"Aim higher, for your arrow-head is always pointed 
to the ground. He that aims at a barn-door will 
never hit the weather-cock on the church-spire." 

A father giving advice to his son, said, "Let your 
objects be high and holy, and then the High and 
Holy One will give you strength and grace to at- 
tain them." 

"What would you advise me to aim at?" asked 



i 3 2 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

a young man of a Christian friend. "At riches 
and honors/' replied his friend, "if you mean to be 
satisfied with earth; but at Christian graces if you 
have any desire ever to enter heaven." 

G. Mogridge. 

PROVERBS. 

The blanks of life are filled up by ideals. 

Ideals are the worst masters, and man can never 
come up to them. 

The noblest minds have the highest ideals, to 
which we never fully attain. 



LXV. 
HONESTY. 

BIBLE. 

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither 
rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not 
abide with thee all night until the morning. — Lev. 
xix:i3. 

Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that is 
poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or 
of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy 
gates: at his day thou shalt give him his hire, 
neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is 
poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry 
against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee. 
— Deut. xxiv:i4, 15. 

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide 
things honest in the sight of all men. — Rom. xii : 17. 

Owe no man anything, but to love one another : 
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. — 
James ii:8. 

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have 



HONESTY. 133 

reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back 
by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have 
reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sa- 
baoth. — James v.4. 

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that 
men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for 
this is the law and the prophets. — Matt. vii:i2. 

LITERATURE. 

What is becoming is honest, and whatever is 
honest must always be becoming. Cicero. 

Who is the honest man? 
He that doth still and strongly good pursue, 
To God, his neighbor, and himself most true: 
Whom neither force nor fawning can 
Unpin, or wrench from giving all their due. 

Herbert. 
Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul, and 
never forget to have a penny, when all thy expenses 
are enumerated and paid ; then shall thou reach the 
point of happiness, and independence shall be thy 
shield and buckler, thy helmet and crown; then 
shall thy soul walk upright, nor stoop to the silken 
wretch because he hath riches, nor pocket an abuse 
because the hand which offers it wears a ring set 
with diamonds. Franklin. 

An honest man is still an unmov'd rock, 
Wash'd whiter, but not shaken with the shock, 
Whose heart conceives no sinister device; 
Fearless he plays with flames, and treads on ice. 

Davenport. 
The more honesty a man has the less he affects 
the air of a saint. Lavater. 

proverbs. 
No legacy so rich as honesty. 
Unjust gains are equal to a loss. 



134 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

An honest countenance is the best passport. 

We are bound to be honest, but not bound to be 
rich. 

Nothing makes a man honest like plenty to eat 
and plenty to wear. 

The thief who finds no opportunity to steal 
thinks himself an honest man. 

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may 
be sure that there is one less rascal in the world. 



LXVI. 
HONOR. 

BIBLE. 

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when 
the glory of his house is increased; for when he 
dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall 
not descend after him. Though while he lived he 
blessed his soul (and men will praise thee, when 
thou doest well to thyself), he shall go to the gen- 
eration of his fathers; they shall never see light. 
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is 
like the beasts that perish. — Psa. xlix: 16-20. 

Length of days is in her right hand ; and in her 
left hand riches and honour. — Prov. iii : 10. 

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his 
master : if then I be a father, where is mine honour ? 
and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the 
Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my 
name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy 
name ? — Mai. i : 6. 

How can ye believe, which receive honour one 
of another, and seek not the honour that cometh 
from God only? — John v:44. 



HONOR. 135 

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wis- 
dom; and before honour is humility. — Prov. xv:33. 

UT3RATUR3. 

Say, what is honor? 'Tis the finest sense 
Of justice which the human mind can frame; 
Interest, each lurking frailty, to disclaim, 
And guard the way to life from all offense 
Suffer'd or done. Wordsworth. 

Base grov'lling souls ne'er know true honor's worth, 

But weigh it out in mercenary scales; 

The secret pleasure of a generous act 

Is the great mind's great bribe. 

The noblest spur unto the sons of fame, 

Is thirst for honor. John Hall. 

Life every man holds dear ; but the dear man 
Holds honor far more precious dear than life. 

Shakespeare. 

proverbs. 

A man's word is his honor. 

Honor thy father and mother. 

Honor is not seemly for a fool. 

Great honors are great burdens. 

Honor and care seldom are bedfellows. 

Among men of honor a word is a bond. 

A hundred years cannot repair a moment's loss 
of honor. 

A man who breaks his word bids others to be 
false to him. 

Honor and shame from no condition rise; act 
well your part, there all the honor lies. 



136 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



LXVII. 

HOPE. 
BIBLE. 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why 
art thou disquieted in me ? Hope thou in God ; for 
I shall yet praise him for the help of his counten- 
ance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me : 
therefore will I remember thee from the land of 
Jordan, and of the Hermonites from the hill of 
Mizar. — Psa. xlii:5-6. 

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when 
the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. — Prov. xiii:i2. 

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in 
thee. — Psa. xxxix:7. 

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art 
my trust from my youth. — Psa. lxxi:5. 

For we are saved by hope. But hope that is 
seen is not hope: for what a man seeth why doth 
he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see 
not, then do we with patience wait for it. — Rom. 
viii :24, 25. 

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, 
whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth 
of the gospel. — Col. i:5. 

That by two immutable things, in which it was 
impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong 
consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold 
upon the hope set before us: which hope we have 
as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, 
and which endureth into that within the vail. — Heb. 
v:i8, 19. 

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be 
sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to 



HOPE. 137 

be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus 
Christ.— I Pet. i:i3. 

LITERATURE. 

Human life hath not a surer friend, nor many 
times a greater enemy, than hope. 'Tis the miser- 
able man's god, which in the hardest gripe of calam- 
ity never fails to yield him beams of comfort. 'Tis 
the presumptuous man's devil which leads him 
awhile in a smooth way, and then makes him break 
his neck on the sudden. 

Hope is to man as a bladder to a learning swim- 
mer, — it keeps him from sinking in the bosom of 
the waves, and by that help he may attain the exer- 
cise; but yet it many times makes him venture be- 
yond his height, and then if that breaks, or a storm 
rises, he drowns without recovery. How many 
would die, did not hope sustain them ! How many 
have died by hoping too much! This wonder we 
may find in hope, that she is both a flatterer and a 
true friend. Feltham. 

Hope is like the cork to the net, which keeps the 
soul from sinking in despair; and fear is like the 
lead to the net, which keeps it from floating in pre- 
sumption. Watson. 
Hope, only Hope, of all that clings 
Around us, never spreads her wings; 
Love, though he break his earthly chain, 
Still whispers he will come again; 
But Faith, that soars to seek the sky, 
Shall teach our half-fledged souls to fly, 
And find, beyond the smoke and flame, 
The cloudless azure whence they came. 

Holmes. 
proverbs. 
Great hopes make great men. 



i 3 8 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Hope is the poor man's bread. 

Hope is the yeast in the bread of life. 

Hope is a good anchor, but it needs something 
to grip. 

Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with 
its light. 

Live till to-morrow, the darkest day will have 
passed away. 

To the sick man hope is the best medicine the 
doctor can dispense. 

He who hath health, hath hope ; and he who hath 
hope, hath everything. 

Who loses money, loses much ; who loses friends, 
loses more; who loses hope, loses all. 



LXVIII. 
HOSPITALITY. 

BIBI<E. 

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth : and 
there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it 
tendeth to poverty. — Prov. xi:24. 

He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he 
that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. — Prov. 
xiv:2i. 

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor : 
but the wicked regardeth not to know it. — Prov. 
xxix :y. 

And if thy brother be waxen poor and fallen in 
decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him: yea, 
though he be a stranger, or a sojourner ; that he may 
live with thee. — Lev. xxv: 35. 

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; 
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a 



HOSPITALITY. 139 

stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed 
me : I was sick, and ye visited me : I was in prison, 
and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous 
answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an 
hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee 
drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took 
thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or when saw 
we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 
And the King shall answer and say unto them, 
Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have 
done it unto me. — Matt. xxv:35>40. 

literature. 

Hospitality sometimes degenerates into profuse- 
ness, and ends in madness and folly. Atterbury. 

There is an emanation from the heart in genuine 
hospitality which cannot be described, but is imme- 
diately felt, and puts the stranger at once at his ease. 

Washington Irving. 

Hospitality to the better sort, and charity to the 
poor; two virtues that are never exercised so well 
as when they accompany each other. Atterbury. 

Blest be that Spot, where cheerful Guests retire 
To pause from Toil, and trim their evening fire ; 
Blest that Abode, where want and pain repair, 
And every Stranger finds a ready chair: 
Blest be those Feasts with simple plenty crown'd, 
Where all the ruddy family around 
Laugh at the jest or pranks, that never fail, 
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale, 
Or press the bashful Stranger to his food, 
And learn the luxury of doing Good. Goldsmith. 

PROVERBS. 

The unbidden guest is ever a pest. 



i 4 o GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Welcome is the best dish on the table. 

He that comes unbidden goes unthanked. 

The master of the house is the servant of the 
guest. 

Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry 
feast. 

When there is room in the heart there is room 
in the house. 

LXIX. 
HUMILITY. 

BIBM. 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to 
every man that is among you, not to think of him- 
self more highly than he ought to think; but to 
think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every 
man the measure of faith. — Rom. xii : 3. 

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear 
of God. — Eph. v:2i. 

Let nothing be done through strife or vain- 
glory ; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other 
better than themselves. — Phil, ii : 3. 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and 
he shall lift you up. — James iv:io. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty 
hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. — 
I Peter v:6. 

And he put forth a parable to those which were 
bidden, when he marked how they chose out the 
chief rooms ; saying unto them, When thou art bid- 
den of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the 
highest room, lest a more honorable man than thou 
be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him 
come and say to thee, Give this man place ; and thou 



HUMILITY. 141 

begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when 
thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room ; 
that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say 
unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou 
have worship in the presence of them that sit at 
meat with thee. — Luke xiv: 7-10. 

UT3RATUR3. 

Among all other virtues, humility, though it be 
the lowest, yet is pre-eminent. It is the safest, be- 
cause it is always at anchor; and that man may be 
truly said to live with most content in his calling 
who strives to live within the compass of it. ReheL 

To be humble to superiors, is duty; to equals, is 
courtesy; to inferiors, is nobleness; and to all, 
safety; it being a virtue, that, for all her lowliness, 
commandeth those souls it stoops to. 

Sir Thomas More. 

Humility is like a tree, whose root when it sets 
deepest in the earth rises higher, and spreads fairer 
and stands surer, and lasts longer, and every step 
of its descent is like a rib of iron. Jeremy Taylor. 

It is in vain to gather virtues without humility ; 
for the Spirit of God delighteth to dwell in the 
hearts of the humble. Erasmus. 

Humility is the first lesson we learn from re- 
flection, and self-distrust, the first proof we give 
of having obtained a knowledge of ourselves. 

Zimmerman. 

Everything may be mimicked by hypocrisy, but 
humility and love are united. The humblest star 
twinkles most in the darkest night. The more rare 
humility and love united, the more radiant when 
they meet. Lavater. 

proverbs. 

Disguised humility is open pride. 



142 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

It is a right estimate of ourselves. 
Forgive thyself little, and others much. 
Humility is the foundation of all virtue. 
Humility is the Christian's greatest honor. 
He who goes the lowest builds the safest. 
We learn it from reflection and self-distrust. 
The first test of a truly great man is his humility. 
Humility is compatible with proper self-respect. 
The humble are in danger when the powerful 
disagree. 

LXX. 

HUMILITY AND PRIDE CONTRASTED. 

bible:. 

Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect 
unto the lowly : but the proud he knoweth afar off. 
— Psa. cxxxviii : 6. 

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth 
grace unto the lowly. — Prov. iii : 34. 

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but 
with the lowly is wisdom. — Prov. xi : 2. 

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the 
well-advised is wisdom. — Prov. xiii : 10. 

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the 
lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. — 
Prov. xvi : 19. 

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, 
and before honor is humility. — Prov. xviii : 12. 

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the 
king, and stand not in the place of great men: for 
better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up 
hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the 



HUMILITY AND PRIDE CONTRASTED. 143 

presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 
— Prov. xxv : 6-7. 

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor 
shall uphold the humble in spirit. — Prov. xxix : 23. 

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be 
abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be 
exalted. — Matt, xxiii: 12. 

UT3RATURE. 

A farmer went with his son into a wheat-field 
to see if it was ready for the harvest. "See, father/' 
exclaimed the boy, "how straight these stems hold 
up their heads ! They must be the best ones. 
Those that hang their heads down I am sure can- 
not be good for much." The farmer plucked a 
stalk of each kind, and said, "See here, foolish child ! 
This stalk that stood so straight is light-headed, and 
almost good for nothing, while this that hung its 
head so modestly is full of the most beautiful grain." 

Pride thrust proud Nebuchadnezzar out of men's 
society, proud Saul out of his kingdom, proud 
Adam out of paradise, proud Haman out of court, 
proud Lucifer out of heaven. Henry Smith. 

proverbs. 

Humility is the foundation of all virtue. 

All heavenly virtues emanate from humility. 

Sense shines with a brighter lustre when it is 
set in humility. 

Humility is a virtue all preach, none practice, 
and yet no one is content to hear described. 



i 4 4 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



LXXL 



HYPOCRISY. 

BIBLE). 

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto 
men; but within ye are full of hypocrisy and in- 
iquity. — Matt, xxiii :28. 

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! 
for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, 
and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, 
judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have 
done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind 
guides ! which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 
— Matt, xxiii 123, 24. 

No servant can serve two masters : for either he 
will hate the one and love the other ; or else he will 
hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot 
serve God and mammon. — Luke xvi:i3- 

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, 
which hast the form of knowledge, and of the truth 
in the law. Thou, therefore, which teachest an- 
other, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest 
a man should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that 
sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou 
commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost 
thou commit sacrilege? thou that makest thy boast 
of the law, through breaking the law, dishonorest 
thou God? — Rom. ii 120-23. 

Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, 
saying, This people honoreth me with their lips ; but 
their heart is far from me. But in vain do they 
worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts 
of men. — Matt. xv:y-g. 



HYPOCRISY. 145 

LITERATURE. 

Your cold hypocrisy's a stale device, 

A worn-out trick: wouldst thou be thought in 

earnest 
Clothe thy feign'd zeal in rage, in fire, in fury. 

Addison. 

Thereto when needed, she could weep and pray; 
And when she listed, she could fawne and flatter. 
Now smyling smoothly, like to sommer's day, 
Now glooming sadly, so to cloke her matter; 
Yet were her words but wynd, and all her tears but 
water. Spenser. 

No man's condition is so base as his; 
None more accurs'd than he; for man esteems 
Him hateful, 'cause he seems not what he is : 
God hates him, 'cause he is not what he seems ; 
What grief is absent, or what mischief can 
Be added to the hate of God and man ? Quarles. 

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. 
An evil soul, producing holy witness, 
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; 
A goodly apple rotten at the heart; 
Oh, what a goodly outside falsehood hath ! 

Shakespeare. 
proverbs. 

No rogue like a godly rogue. 

A white glove often conceals a dirty hand. 

A bad man is worse when he pretends to be a 
saint. 

You can't come in here, said a voice from the 
pit, hell's too good for a hypocrite. 

May the man be cursed and never grow fat 
Who wears two faces under his hat. 



146 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



LXXII. 



IDLENESS. 

BIBLE. 

Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways, 
and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or 
ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gath- 
ereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou 
sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy 
sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little 
folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty 
come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an 
armed man. — Prov. vi:6-n. 

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack 
hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. — 
Prov. x:4. 

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an 
idle soul shall suffer hunger. A slothful man hid- 
eth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as 
bring it to his mouth again.- — Prov. xix: 15, 24. 

The sluggard will not plough by reason of the 
cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have 
nothing. — Prov. xx:4. 

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the 
vineyard of the man void of understanding ; and, lo, 
it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had 
covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof 
was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it 
well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. — 
Prov. xxiv:30-32. 

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought ; 
but wrought with labour and travail night and day, 
that we might not be chargeable to any of you : not 
because we have not power, but to make ourselves 



IDLENESS. 147 

an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when 
we were with you, this we commanded you, that if 
any would not work, neither should he eat. For we 
hear that there are some which walk among you 
disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 
Now them that are such we command and exhort 
by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they 
work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, 
be not weary in well doing. — II Thess. iii: 8-13. 

literature:. 

It is no more possible for an idle man to keep 
together a certain stock of knowledge than it is 
possible to keep together a stock of ice exposed to 
the meridian sun. Every day destroys a fact, a 
relation, or an influence; and the only method of 
preserving the bulk and value of the pile is by 
constantly adding to it. Sidney Smith. 

I look upon indolence as a sort of suicide; for 
the man is effectually destroyed, though the appe- 
tite of the brute may survive. Chesterfield. 

Idleness is a constant sin, and but the devil's 
home for temptation, and for unprofitable, dis- 
tracting musings. Baxter. 

Idleness travels very slowly, and poverty soon 
overtakes her. Hunter. 

It would be thought a hard government that 
should tax its people one-tenth part of their time 
to be employed in its service; but idleness taxes 
many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on 
diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, 
consumes faster than labor wears ; while the used 
key is always bright. Dost thou love life, then do 
not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made 
of. Franklin. 



148 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

PROVERBS. 

Think of ease, but work on. 
«* If I rest, I rust, says the key. 

He is idle that might be better employed. 

Idleness is the sepulcher of the living man. 

Sloth maketh all things difficult; industry easy. 

The devil gets a good deal of work out of lazy 
people. 

The devil tempts all other men, but the idle man 
tempts the devil. 

When youth sleeps on beds of roses, age on beds 
of thorns reposes. 

Don't expect a stranger to saw youf wood while 
you sit in the shade. 



LXXIII. 
IDLE WORDS. 

BIBLE. 

How can ye, being evil, speak good things? 
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth 
speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure 
of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an 
evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil 
things. But I say unto you, that every idle word 
that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof 
in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou 
shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be 
condemned. — Matt, xii : 34-37. 

I hate and abhor lying : but thy law do I love. — 
Psa. cxix : 163. 

LITERATURE. 

"I don't want to hear naughty words," said little 
Charlie to one of his school-fellows. "It does not 



IGNORANCE. 149 

signify/' said the other boy : "they go in at one ear, 
and out at the other." "No," replied Charlie. 
"The worst of it is, when naughty words get in they 
stick; so I mean to do my best to keep them out." 

proverbs. 

Evil words cut worse than swords. 

Fit words are fine, but often fine words are not 
fit. 

A man that breaks his word bids others be false 
to him. 

Words once spoken cannot be wiped out with a 
sponge. 

Refrain not to speak when there is occasion to 
do good. 

Words show the wit of a man, but actions his 
meaning. 

A wise man will hold his tongue till he see op- 
portunity. 

LXXIV. 

IGNORANCE. 

BIBLE. 

Surely I am more brutish than any man, and 
have not the understanding of a man. I neither 
learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the 
Holy. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or de- 
scended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? 
who hath bound the waters in a garment ? who hath 
established all the ends of the earth? what is his 
name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? 
— Prov. xxx : 2-4. 

For I beheld, and there was no man, even among 
them, and there was no counsellor, that when I 
asked of them, could answer a word. — Isa. xli:28. 

The man that wandereth out of the way of un- 



150 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

derstanding shall remain in the congregation of the 
dead. — Pro v. xxi:i6. 

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, be- 
cause they have no knowledge ; and their honorable 
men are famished, and their multitude dried up with 
thirst. — Isa. VU3. 

But this people who knoweth not the law are 
cursed. — John vii:49- 

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 
— I Cor. xiv:38. 

But these speak evil of those things which they 
know not: but what they know naturally, as brute 
beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. — 
Jude 10. 

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye 
may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. — 
I Pet. ii:i5 

LITERATURE. 

It is with narrow-souled people as with narrow- 
necked bottles — the less they have in them the more 
noise they make in pouring it out. Pope. 

A man is never astonished or ashamed that he 
doesn't know what another does, but he is surprised 
at the gross ignorance of the other in not knowing 
what he does. Haliburton. 

It is impossible to make people understand their 
ignorance, for it requires knowledge to perceive it; 
and, therefore, he that can perceive it hath it not. 

Jeremy Taylor. 

There is no slight danger from general ignor- 
ance; and the only choice which Providence has 
graciously left to a vicious government is either to 
fall by the people, if they are suffered to become 
enlightened, or with them, if they are kept enslaved 
and ignorant. Coleridge. 




INDUSTRY. 151 

It is with nations as with individuals, those who 
know the least of others think the highest of them- 
selves : for the whole family of pride and ignorance 
are incestuous, and mutually beget each other. 

Colton. 
proverbs. 

Despise school and remain a fool. 

Ignorance is Folly's father and mother. 

Ignorance is the mother of Impudence. 

Some men go through a forest and see no fire- 
wood. 

They only are wise who know that they know 
nothing. 

Double ignorance is where a man is ignorant of 
his ignorance. 

The sky is not less blue because the blind man 
does not see it. 

A blind man leaned against a wall. "This is the 
boundary of the world/' he said. 



LXXV. 
INDUSTRY. 

BIBLE. 

Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work. 
— Ex. xx :g. 

And the Lord God took the man, and put him 
into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 
— Gen. ii:i5. 

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule : but the 
slothful shall be under tribute. Heaviness in the 
heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word 
maketh it glad. The righteous is more excellent 
than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked se- 



152 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

duceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that 
which he took in hunting: but the substance of a 
diligent man is precious. In the way of righteous- 
ness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no 
death. — Prov. xii 124-27. 

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath noth- 
ing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 
— Prov. xiii:4. 

In all labor there is profit : but the talk of the 
lips tendeth only to penury. — Prov. xiv:23. 

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether 
he eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich 
will not suffer him to sleep. — Eccl. v:i2. 

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let 
him labor, working with his hands the thing which 
is good, that he may have to give to him that need- 
eth. — Eph. iv:28. 

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he 
shall stand before kings ; he shall not stand before 
mean men. — Prov. xxii:2C). 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor 
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou 
goest. — Eccl. ix: 10. 

LITERATURE. 

The very exercise of industry, immediately in 
itself, is delightful, and hath an innate satisfaction 
which tempereth all annoyance, and even ingra- 
tiateth the pains going with it. Barrow. 

The bread earned by the sweat of the brow is 
thrice blessed bread, and it is far sweeter than the 
tasteless loaf of idleness. CrowquilL 

A man who gives his children habits of indus- 



INGRATITUDE. 153 

try provides for them better than by giving them 

a fortune. Whately. 

It sweeteneth our enjoyments, and seasoneth our 

attainments with a delightful relish. Barrow. 

An hour's industry will do more to produce 
cheerfulness, suppress evil humors, and retrieve 
your affairs, than a month's moaning. 

Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all 
easy; and he that riseth late must trot all day, and 
shall scarce overtake his business at night; while 
laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon over- 
takes him. Franklin. 

PROVERBS. 

Industry need not wish. 

This world belongs to the energetic. 

One honey bee is better than a house full of flies. 

Nothing so difficult but may be won by industry. 

Industry is Fortune's right hand, and frugality 
her left. 

Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? he 
shall stand before kings. 

There is always room for a man of force, and 
he makes room for many. 

Plow deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall 
have corn to sell and to keep. 

A man who gives his children habits of industry, 
provides better than by giving fortunes. 

LXXVI. 
INGRATITUDE. 

BIBIvK. 

And the children of Israel remembered not the 
Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the 



154 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

hands of all their enemies on every side: neither 
shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, 
namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which 
he had shewed unto Israel. — Jud. viii : 34-35. 

For thy love they are my adversaries : but I give 
myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me 
evil for good, and hatred for my love. — Psa. cix 14, 5. 

And now, behold, the children of Ammon, and 
Moab, and Mount Seir, whom thou wouldst not let 
Israel invade when they came out of the land of 
Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed 
them not; behold, I saw, how they reward us, to 
come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou 
hast given us to inherit. — II Chron. xx:io, 11. 

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they 
have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I 
stood before thee to speak good for them, and to 
turn away thy wrath from them. — Jer. xviii:20. 

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not 
depart from his house. — Prov. xvii:i3- 

Because that when they knew God, they glori- 
fied him not as God, neither were thankful ; but be- 
came vain in their imaginations, and their foolish 
heart was darkened. — Rom. 1:21. 

uterature;. 

Ingratitude, my lord, is a nail which driven into 
the tree of courtesy causes it to whither; it is a 
broken channel, by which the foundations of the af- 
fections are undermined ; and a lump of soot, which 
falling into the dish of friendship destroys its scent 
and flavor. 

If there be a crime 
Of deeper dye than all the guilty train 
Of human vices, 'tis ingratitude. Brooke. 

There is not one vice incident to the mind of 



INIQUITY. 155 

man against which the world has raised such a loud 
and universal outcry as against ingratitude. South. 
He that calls a man ungrateful sums up all the 
evil that a man can be guilty of. Swift 

I hate ingratitude more in a man, 
Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness 
Or any taint of vice, whose strong corruption 
Inhabits our frail blood. Shakespeare. 

One ungrateful man does an injury to all who 
stand in need of aid. Publius Syrius. 

proverbs. 

Better a grateful dog than an ungrateful man. 

He that gives to the grateful man puts out to 
interest. 

It is not much to give a leg to him who gave you 
a fowl. 

To do good to the ungrateful is to throw rose- 
water into the sea. 

Do you know what is harder to bear than re- 
verses of fortune? It is the baseness, the hideous 
ingratitude of men. 



LXXVII. 
INIQUITY. 

BIBLE. 

Their webs shall not become garments, neither 
shall they cover themselves with their works : their 
work are works of iniquity, and the act of violence 
is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they 
make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts 
are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction 
are in their paths. The way of peace they know 
not; and there is no judgment in their goings; they 



156 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth 
therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judg- 
ment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us : 
we wait for light, but behold obscurity ; for bright- 
ness, but we walk in darkness. — Isa. lix : 6-9. 

LITERATURE. 

Cambyses, King of Persia, was remarkable for 
the severity of his government, and his inexorable 
regard to justice. This prince had a particular 
favorite, whom he made a judge; and this judge 
reckoned himself so secure in the credit he had with 
his master, that, without ceremony, causes were 
bought and sold in the courts of judicature as 
openly as provisions in the market. But when Cam- 
byses was informed of these proceedings, enraged 
to find his friendship so ungratefully abused, the 
honor of his government prostituted, and the liberty 
and property of his subjects sacrificed to the avarice 
of this wretched minion, he ordered him to be seized 
and publicly degraded. At the same time, to con- 
vince the world that this severity proceeded only 
from the love of justice, he permitted the son to suc- 
ceed his father in the honors and office of prime 
minister. Stretch. 

proverbs. 

Fraud is the minister of injustice. 

He who acts unjustly is his own enemy. 

Iniquity under the name of law is the most in- 
tolerable. 

He who commits injustice is made more 
wretched than he who suffers it. 



INTENTIONS. 157 

LXXVIII. 
INTENTIONS. 

But what think ye? A certain man had two 
sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go 
work to-day in my vineyard. He answered and 
said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and 
went. And he came to the second, and said like- 
wise. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and 
went not. Whether of them twain did the will of 
his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus 
saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the 
publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of 
God before you. — Matt, xxi 128-31. 

And it came to pass, that, as they went in 
the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, 
I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And 
Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of 
the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not 
where to lay his head. And he said unto another, 
Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to 
go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let 
the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach 
the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, 
I will follow thee : but let me first go bid them fare- 
well, which are at home at my house. And Jesus 
said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the 
plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of 
God. — Luke ix : 57-62. 

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good 
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life ? And 
Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? 
none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest 



158 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not 
kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor 
thy father and thy mother. — Luke xviii: 18-30. 

LITERATURE. 

A man who is always forgetting his best inten- 
tions, may be said to be a thoroughfare of good 
resolutions. Mrs. Jameson. 

What an illustration have we of too many good 
intentions in the blossoms of spring! The trees in 
our gardens bear far more blossom than they can 
ever ripen into fruit. This shows in them an in- 
ward and natural disposition to pay liberally for the 
ground they occupy; but afterward they are more 
or less hindered by outward circumstances from 
carrying it into effect. Thus it is with good men. 
Scarcely a tithe of the blossom comes to fruit; but 
as men take pleasure in beholding it upon the tree, 
so God takes delight in a heart overflowing with 
fervor and holy resolutions, and in the fruits and 
works of righteousness, though these are not first, 
and may be comparatively few. « Gotthold. 

proverbs. 

'Tis the will that makes the action good or ill. 

Take away the motive and you take away the sin. 

Intentions, like eggs, soon spoil unless hatched. 

Man punishes the action, but God the intention. 

'Tis not the action but the intention that is good 
or bad. 

Hell is full of good intentions and heaven of 
good works. 



JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY. 159 



LXXIX. 
JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY. 

BIBM. 

And they sat down to eat bread : and they lifted 
up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company 
of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels 
bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry 
it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his breth- 
ren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and 
conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to 
the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him : 
for he is our brother and our flesh : and his brethren 
were content. Then there passed by Midianites, 
merchantmen ; and they drew and lifted up Joseph 
out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites 
for twenty pieces of silver : and they brought Joseph 
into Egypt. 

And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, be- 
hold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his 
clothes. And he returned unto his brethren, and 
said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go? 
And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of 
the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood ; and they 
rent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to 
their father; and said, This have we found: know 
now whether it be thy son's coat or no. And he 
knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast 
hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent 
in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sack- 
cloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many 
days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose 
up to comfort him ; but he refused to be comforted ; 
and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto 
my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. 



i6o GEMS OF WISDOM. 

And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Poti- 
phar, an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the 
guard. — Gen. xxxvii 125-36. 

LITERATURE. 

They were sitting on the plains of Dothan. 
Along that way a caravan was traveling. They saw 
they were of the Arab race, the sailors of the desert 
in all ages, descendants of Ishmael. The sight of 
these traveling merchants gave a sudden turn to the 
thoughts of the conspirators. They knew that in 
Egypt there was a great demand for slaves, and 
that these merchantmen were in the habit of buying 
slaves in their passage and selling them in that land, 
which has always been the great slave-mart of the 
world. Why not sell their brother? It would be 
an easy way of disposing of him. It would save 
them from fratricide. So, acting upon the sug- 
gestion of Judah, they lifted Joseph out of the pit, 
and, as money was no object to them, they sold him 
for twenty rings of silver — about three pounds. 
It was the work of a few minutes, and then Joseph 
found himself one of a long line of fettered slaves 
bound for a foreign land. F. B. Meyer. 

proverbs. 

Every bondman in his own hand bears the power 
to cancel his captivity. 

Garrick said, "Corrupted freedmen are the worst 
of slaves." 

"Slavery," said Plato, " is a system of gross in- 
justice." 

Socrates termed slavery a system of outrage and 
robbery, opposed to the principles of morality and 
fraught with danger to the republic. 



JOURNEYING. 161 



LXXX. 
JOURNEYING. 

BIBLE. 

And it shall come to pass, if thou shall hearken 
diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to ob- 
serve and to do all his commandments, which I com- 
mand thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set 
thee on high above all nations of the earth. And 
all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake 
thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the 
Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, 
and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shalt 
thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou 
be when thou goest out. 

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not 
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, 
to observe to do all his commandments and 
his statutes, which I command thee this day, 
that all these curses shall come upon thee, and over- 
take thee. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and 
cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shalt thou 
be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be 
when thou goest out. — Deut. xxviii:i-3, 6, 15, 16, 19. 

And gathered them out of the lands, from the 
east, and from the west, from the north, and from 
the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a 
solitary way ; they found no city to dwell in. Hun- 
gry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then 
they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he 
delivered them out of their distresses. — Psa. vii : 3-7. 

LITERATURE. 

"If I had the power to choose a place to die in, 
it should be an inn. Do any ask me why ? Because 



1 62 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

this looks like a pilgrim's going home, to whom the 
whole world is but like a large and noisy inn, and 
he, a wayfarer, tarrying in it as short a time as pos- 
sible, and then hastening onwards to his Father's 
house." The desire of the good old man was 
granted. He died at the Bell Inn, in Warwick-lane, 
London, in true Christian peace and hope ; and now 
no longer a pilgrim in the earthly wilderness, he is 
resting in the holy land, where angels carried him, 
and there are many mansions prepared for the elect 
of God. 

PROVERBS. 

Travel widens our conceptions. 

Life's but a journey from the cradle to the grave. 

A pilgrimage is a remedy for sickly refinement. 

He who never leaves his own country is full of 
prejudices. 

One month's travel gives more information than 
a year's reading. 

LXXXI. 
JOY. 

BIBLE. 

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my 
deliverer ; my God, my strength, in whom I will 
trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, 
and my high tower. The Lord is my strength and 
my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am 
helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and 
with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their 
strength, and he is the saving strength of his 
anointed. — Psa. xxviii : 7, 8. 

For our heart shall rejoice in him; because we 
have trusted in his holy name. — xxxiii:2i. 



JOY. 163 

As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so 
panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirst- 
eth for God, for the living God : when shall I come 
and appear before God? — Psa. xlii: 1,2. 

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and 
fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joy- 
ful lips; when I remember thee upon my bed, and 
meditate on thee in the night-watches. Because 
thou hast been my help ; therefore in the shadow of 
thy wings will I rejoice. — My soul followeth hard 
after thee : thy right hand upholdeth me. — Psa. lxiii : 

5-8. 

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is 
none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My 
flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength 
of my heart, and my portion for ever. — Psa. lxxiii : 
25, 26. 

Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither 
shall fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the olive shall 
fail, and the fields shall yield no meat : the flock shall 
be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd 
in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will 
joy in the God of my salvation. — Hab. iii:i7, 18. 

Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the pres- 
ence of the angels of God over one sinner that re- 
penteth. — Luke xv:io. 

UTERATURS. 

Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consider- 
ation of the present or assured approaching posses- 
sion of a good. Boyle. 

Joy descends gently upon us like the evening 
dew, and does not patter down like a hail-storm. 

Richter. 



164 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

What nothing earthly gives, nor can destroy 
The soul's calm sunshine, and the heartfelt joy, 

Pope. 
A springing joy, 
A pleasure, which no language can express, 
An ecstasy, that mothers only feel, 
Plays round my heart, and brightens up my sorrow, 
Like gleams of sunshine in a low'ring sky. Philips. 

Joy never feasts so high 
As when the first course is of misery. 

Suckling. 

How exquisite is pleasure after pain ! 
Why throbs my heart so turbulently strong, 
Pain'd at thy presence, this redundant joy 
Like a poor miser, beggar'd by his store? 

Young. 
proverbs. 

Constant pleasures cloy. 

To pursue joy is to lose it. 

No joy like that of heaven and none without al- 
loy. 

Joys which we cannot share with others are not 
half enjoyed. 

Joy is more divine than sorrow, for joy is bread 
and sorrow is medicine. 

Joy and sorrow are next door neighbors and 
usually succeed each other. 



LXXXII. 

JUSTICE. 

BIBLE). 

The Lord shall endure for ever; he hath pre- 
pared his throne for judgment. And he shall 



JUSTICE. 165 

judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister 
judgment to the people in uprightness. The Lord 
also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in 
times of trouble. And they that know thy name 
will put their trust in thee : for thou, Lord, hast not 
forsaken them that seek thee. The needy shall not 
always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor 
shall not perish for ever. — Psa. ix:7~io, 18. 

UTERATUR3. 

Justice is the greatest interest of man on earth. 
It is the ligament which holds civilized beings and 
civilized nations together. Wherever her temple 
stands, and so long as it is duly honored, there is a 
foundation for social security, and general happi- 
ness, and the improvement and progress of our race. 
And whoever labors on this edifice with usefulness 
and distinction, whoever clears its foundations, 
strengthens its pillars, adorns it entablatures, or con- 
tributes to raise its august dome still higher in the 
skies, connects himself in name and fame and char- 
acter with that which is and must be as durable as 
the frame of human society. Webster. 

proverbs. 

Impartiality is the life of justice. 

The memory of the just is blessed. 

Justice should be tempered with mercy. 

If all men were just, there would be no need of 
valor. 

There should be no separation between liberty 
and justice. 

Justice springs from reason, while all other vir- 
tues dwell in the blood. 

Though justice be thy plea, consider this, that 
in the course of justice none of us should see sal- 
vation. 



1 66 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



LXXXIII. 

KINDNESS. 

bibi,*;. 

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is 
born for adversity. — Prov. xvii:i7- 

A man that hath friends must shew himself 
friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer 
than a brother. — Prov. xviii:24. 

Be kindly affectioned one to another with broth- 
erly love; in honor preferring one another. — Rom. 
xii:io. 

The desire of a man is his kindness : and a poor 
man is better than a liar. — Prov. xix:22. 

We then that are strong ought to bear the in- 
firmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 
Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good 
to edification. For even Christ pleased not him- 
self; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them 
that reproached thee fell on me. — Rom. xvn-3. 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity en- 
vieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed 
up. — I Cor. xiii 14. 

By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, 
by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned. 
—II Cor. vi:6. 

And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, 
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake 
hath forgiven you. — Eph. iv:32. 

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compas- 
sion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be 
courteous. — I Pet. iii :8. 



KINDNESS. 167 

UTERATUR3. 

That best portion of a good man's life, 
His little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness 
and of love. Wordsworth. 

Kindness has resistless charms, 

All things else but weakly move; 
Fiercest anger it disarms, 

And clips the wings of flying love. 

Rochester. 
How easy it is for one benevolent being to dif- 
fuse pleasure around him; and how truly is a kind 
heart a fountain of gladness, making everything in 
its vicinity to freshen into smiles. 

Washington Irving. 
Howe'er it be, it seems to me, 
'Tis only noble to be good. 
Kind hearts are more than coronets 
And simple faith than Norman blood. 

Tennyson. 
Since trifles make the sum of human things, 
And half our misery from our foibles springs ; 
Since life's best joys consist in peace and ease, 
And few can save or serve, but all may please ; 
Oh ! let th' ungentle spirit learn from hence 
A small unkindness is a great offense, 
Large bounties to restore we wish in vain, 
But all may shun the guilt of giving pain. 

Hannah More. 
True worth is in being, not seeming; 

In doing each day that goes by 
Some little good, not in dreaming 
Of great things to do by and by. 
For whatever man sees in his blindness, 

And in spite of the follies of youth, 

There is nothing so kingly as kindness, 

There is nothing so royal as truth. 



168 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

PROVERBS. 

There is no severity like gentleness. 

Heaven, — where no unkind word is spoken. 

A gentle hand may lead the elephant by a hair. 

The great man is he who does not lose his child- 
ish heart. 

A great man will not tread on a worm nor cringe 
to an emperor. 

They that always speak kind words, please hold 
up their hands. 

A stranger who is kind is a kinsman ; an unkind 
kinsman is a stranger. 

LXXXIV. 
KNOWLEDGE. 

BIBIyE. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowl- 
edge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. — 
Prov. i:y. 

And they that know thy name will put their 
trust in thee : for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them 
that seek thee. — Psa. ix:io. 

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for 
I have believed thy commandments. — Psa. cxix : 66. 

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplic- 
ity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and 
fools hate knowledge ? — Prov. i :22. 

Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of 
the foolish is near destruction. — Prov. x:i4. 

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his 
way : but the folly of fools is deceit. The simple in- 
herit folly : but the prudent are crowned with knowl- 
edge. — Prov. xiv : 8, 18. 



KNOWLEDGE. 169 

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is 
not good ; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 
— Prov. xix :2. 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory- 
both now and for ever. Amen. — II Pet. iii : 18. 

LITERATURE. 

Knowledge will not be acquired without pains 
and application. It is troublesome and deep dig- 
ging for pure waters ; but when once you come to 
the spring, they rise up and meet you. Felton. 

The wish to know — that endless thirst, 
Which ev'n by quenching is awak'd, 

And which becomes or blest or curst, 
As is the fount whereat 'tis slak'd, 

Still urg'd me onward, with desire 

Insatiate, to explore, inquire. Moore. 

Every generation enjoys the use of a vast hoard 
bequeathed to it by antiquity, and transmits that 
hoard, augmented by fresh acquisitions to future 
ages. Macaulay. 

I would advise all in general, that they would 
take into serious consideration the true and genuine 
ends of knowledge; that they seek it not either for 
pleasure, or contention, or contempt for others, or 
for profit, or fame, or for honor and promotion, or 
such-like adulterate and inferior ends ; but for merit 
and emolument of life, that they may regulate and 
perfect the same in charity. Bacon. 

proverbs. 

There is no royal road to learning. 
Education is the chief defence of nations. 
Better ask twice than lose your way once. 



170 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

The more a man knows, the less he knows he 
knows. 

Learning makes a man fit company for himself. 

Knowledge planted in youth giveth shade in old 
age. 

One cannot draw the water from a deep well 
with a short rope. 

There is in the smallest thing a message for us 
could we but read it. 

If a man empties his purse into his head, no one 
can take it from him. 

It takes ten pounds of common sense to carry 
one pound of learning. 

He who creates in a child a desire to learn, does 
more than he who forces it to learn much. 

Wear your learning like a watch in a private 
pocket ; do not pull it out merely to show you have 
one. 

LXXXV. 

LABOR. 

BIBLE. 

And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, 
Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto 
his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and 
be thou an help to him from his enemies. — Deut. 
xxxiii :y. 

For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands: 
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 
— Psa. cxxviii:2. 

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life; the 
fruit of the wicked to sin. — Prov. x:i6. 

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: 
but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. — 
Prov. xiii:n. 



LABOR. 171 

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own 
wisdom. — Prov. xxiii:4. 

The husbandman that laboureth must be first 
partaker of the fruits. — II Tim. xi : 6. 

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for 
that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, 
which the Son of man shall give unto you : for him 
hath God the father sealed. — John XK27. 

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, 
lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 
— Heb. iv:ii. 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy 
laden, and I will give you rest. — Matt. xi:28. 

UTERATUR3. 

It is only by labor that thought can be made 
healthy, and only by thought that labor can be made 
happy; and the two cannot be separated with im- 
punity. Ruskin. 

Manufactures, trade, and agriculture, naturally 
employ more than nineteen parts of the species in 
twenty; and as for those who are not obliged to 
labor, by the condition in which they are born, they 
are more miserable than the rest of mankind, unless 
they indulge themselves in that voluntary labor 
which goes by the name of exercise. Addison. 

Alexander the Great, reflecting on his friends 
degenerating into sloth and luxury, told them that 
it was a most slavish thing to luxuriate, and a most 
royal thing to labor. Barrow. 

Ah ! if thy fate with anguish fraught, 
Should be to wet the dusty soil 
With the hot, burning tears of toil, — 
To struggle with imperious thought, 
Until the overburthened brain, 



i 7 2 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Heavy with labor, faint with pain, 
Like a jarred pendulum, retain 
Only its emotion, not its power; 
Remember in that perilous hour 
When most afflicted and opprest, 
From labor there shall come forth rest. 

Longfellow. 

Labor is life! 'Tis the still water faileth; 

Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth; 

Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth ; 

Flowers droop and die in the stillness of noon. 
Labor is glory ! the flying cloud lightens ; 
Only the waving wing changes and brightens ; 
Idle hearts only the dark future frightens ; 

Play the sweet keys, would'st thou keep them in 
tune! 
Labor is rest from the sorrows that greet us, 
Rest from all petty vexations that meet us, 
Rest from sin-promptings that ever entreat us, 

Rest from world-sirens that lure us to ill. 
Work, — and pure slumbers shall wait on thy pillow ; 
Work, — thou shalt ride over Care's coming billow; 
Lie not down wearied 'neath Woe's weeping willow ! 

Work with a stout heart and resolute will ! 

Osgood. 
proverbs. 

No sweet without some sweat. 

No bees, no honey; no work, no money. 

Pray to God, sailor, but pull for the shore. 

He that can work is a born king of something. 

He that would have the fruit must climb the tree. 

You must scale the mountain if you would view 
the plain. 

The horse must go to the manger, and not the 
manger to the horse. 



LAW. 173 

LXXXVI. 
LAW. 

BIBLE. 

Dare any of you, having a matter against an- 
other, go to law before the unjust, and not before 
the saints? Do you not know that the saints shall 
judge the world? and if the world shall be judged 
by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest mat- 
ters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? 
how much more things that pertain to this life? If 
then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this 
life, set them to judge who are less esteemed in the 
church. I speak to your shame. Is it so,, that there 
is not a wise man among you ? no, not one that shall 
be able to judge between his brethren? But brother 
goeth to law with brother, and that before the un- 
believers. Now, therefore, there is utterly a fault 
among you, because ye go to law one with another: 
why do you not rather take wrong ? why do you not 
rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? — I Cor. 
vin-7. 

LITERATURE. 

Of law there can be no less acknowledged than 
that her seat is the bosom of God, her voice the har- 
mony of the world; all things do her homage, the 
very least as feeling her care; and the greatest as 
not exempted from her power ; both angels and men, 
and creatures of what condition soever, though each 
in different sort and manner, yet all with uniform 
consent admiring her as the mother of their peace 
and joy. Hooker. 

Laws were made to restrain and punish the 
wicked; the wise and good do not need them as a 



174 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

guide, but only as a shield against rapine and op- 
pression; they can live civilly and orderly, though 
there were no law in the world. Feltham. 

A good law without execution is like an unper- 
formed promise. Jeremy Taylor. 

Laws can discover sin, but not remove. Milton. 

All beings have their laws; the deity has his 
laws, the material world has its laws, superior intel- 
ligences have their laws, the beasts have their laws, 
and man his laws. Montesquieu. 

Mark what unvary'd laws preserve each state, 
Laws wise as nature, and as fix'd as fate. 
In vain thy reason finer webs shall draw, 
Entangle justice in her net of law, 
And right, too rigid, harden into wrong, 
Still for the strong too weak, the weak too strong. 

Pope. 

PROVERBS. 

A wise lawyer seldom goes to law himself. 

He who commits no crime requires no law. 

The welfare of the people is the highest law. 

He that goes to law for a sheep loses his cow. 

A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit. 

Law and equity which God hath joined let no 
man put asunder. 

No man e'er felt the halter draw with good opin- 
ion of the law. 

If there is one thing the Lord doesn't know it is 
the outcome of a lawsuit. 

Little thieves are hanged by the neck and great 
thieves by the purse. 



LIBERTY. 175 



LXXXVIL 
LIBERTY. 

BIBLE. 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free. They answered him, We be Abra- 
ham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man : 
how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus 
answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Who- 
soever committeth sin is the servant of sin. — John 
viii 132-34. 

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves 
servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye 
obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience 
unto righteousness? But God be thanked that ye 
were the servants of sin; but ye have obeyed from 
the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered 
you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the 
servants of righteousness. For when ye were the 
servants of sin ye were free from righteousness. 
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye 
are now ashamed? for the end of those things is 
death. But now being made free from sin, and be- 
come servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holi- 
ness, and the end everlasting life. — Rom. vi:i6-i8, 
20-22. 

Now, the Lord is that Spirit: and where the 
Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. — II Cor. iii:i7. 

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; 
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but 
by love serve one another. — Gal. VH3. 

UT3RATUR3. 

Though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a 
state of license; though man in that state have an 



176 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

uncontrollable liberty to dispose of his person or 
possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself. 

Locke. 
When liberty is gone 
Life grows insipid, and has lost its relish. 

Addison. 

The love of liberty with life is given 
And life itself the inferior gift of heaven. 

Dryden. 

'Tis liberty alone that gives the flow'r 

Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume, 

And we are weeds without it. Cowper. 

Our country cannot well subsist without liberty, 
nor liberty without virtue. Rousseau. 

Nothing can be so sad as confinement for life, 
or so sweet, and, please your honor, as liberty. 

Sterne. 

True liberty consists in the privilege of enjoying 
our own rights, not in the destruction of the rights 
of others. Pinchard. 

A day, an hour of virtuous liberty, 
Is worth a whole eternity of bondage. 

Addison. 
proverbs. 

Liberty is from God. 

Bad men can never make good citizens. 

Reason and virtue alone can bestow liberty. 

Liberty cannot exist without national virtue and 
morality. 

The law of religious liberty is stronger than at- 
tachment to civil freedom. 






LIFE. 177 

LXXXVIII. 
LIFE. 

BIBLE. 

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, 
and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, 
and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and 
continueth not. And dost thou open thine eyes 
upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment 
with thee? — Job xivn-3. 

Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand- 
breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: 
verily every man at his best state is altogether van- 
ity. Selah. — Psa. xxxix:5. 

Go to now, ye that say, To-day, or to-mor- 
row, we will go into such a city, and continue there 
a year, and buy and sell, and get gain ; whereas ye 
know not what shall be on the morrow. For what 
is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth 
for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that 
ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and 
do this or that. But now ye rejoice in your boast- 
ings: all such rejoicing is evil. — Jas. iv:i3-i6. 

LITERATURE. 

Life is made up not of great sacrifices or duties, 
but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, 
and small obligations given habitually, are what win 
and preserve the heart and secure comfort. 

Sir H. Davy. 

Our lives are albums, written through 
With good or ill, with false or true ; 
And as the blessed angels turn 
The pages of our years, 



178 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

God grant they read the good with smiles 
And blot the ill with tears. Whittier. 

The end of life is to be like unto God; and the 
soul following God, will be like unto him ; He being 
the beginning, middle and end of all things. 

Socrates. 
We live in deeds, not years — in thoughts, not 

breaths — 
In feeling, not in figures on a dial. 
We count time by heart-throbs. He most lives 
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. 

Bailey. 
The best part of one's life is the performance of 
his daily duties. All higher motives, ideals, concep- 
tions, sentiments in a man are of no account if they 
do not come forward to strengthen him for the bet- 
ter discharge of the duties which devolve upon him 
in the ordinary affairs of life. 

Henry Ward Beecher. 

The greatest pleasure of life is love ; the greatest 

treasure is contentment; the greatest possession is 

health; the greatest ease is sleep. Addison. 

Life is a sea — as fathomless, 
As wide, as terrible, and yet sometimes 
As calm and beautiful. The light of heaven 
Smiles on it, and 'tis decked with every hue 
Of glory and of joy. Anon dark clouds 
Arise, contending winds of fate go forth, 
And Hope sits weeping o'er a general wreck. 
And thou must sail upon this sea, a long, 
Eventful voyage. The wise may suffer wreck, 
The foolish must. 

O ! then be early wise ! 
Learn from the mariner his skillful art 
To ride upon the waves, and catch the breeze, 
And dare the threatening storm, and trace a path 



LIGHT. 179 

'Mid countless dangers, to the destined port, 
Unerringly secure. O ! learn from him 
To station quick-eyed Prudence at the helm, 
To guard thy sails from Passion's sudden blasts — 
And make religion thy magnetic guide, 
Which, though it trembles as it lowly lies, 
Points to the light that changes not — in Heaven. 

Ware. 

The shortest life is longest, if 'tis best ; 
'Tis ours to work, — to God belongs the rest. 
Our lives are measured by the deeds we do, 
The thoughts we think, the objects we pursue. 

Anon. 
proverbs. 

Better a live beggar than a dead king. 

Life, like a kiss, is sweet but soon over. 

Our life, like the toads, is a hop and a stop. 

Make haste to live and consider each day a new 
life. 

Live, live to-day; to-morrow never yet 
On any human being rose or set. 



LXXXIX. 

LIGHT. 

BIBLE. 

And God said, Let there be light ; and there was 
light. And God saw the light, that it was good; 
and God divided the light from the darkness. — Gen. 
i:3-4. 

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing 
it is for the eyes to behold the sun. — Eccl. xi :?. 

They are of those that rebel against the light; 



180 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the 
paths thereof. — Job xxiv:i3- 

The light of the body is the eye : therefore when 
thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of 
light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is 
full of darkness. Take heed, therefore, that the 
light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy 
whole body, therefore, be full of light, having no 
part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when 
the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. 
— Luke XK34-36. 

UXERATURE. 

There is that which one can communicate to an- 
other, and make himself the richer ; as one who im- 
parts light to another has not therefore less light, 
but walks henceforth by the light of two torches in- 
stead of one. Dr. French. 

Light, whether it be material or moral, is the 
best reformer ; for it prevents those disorders which 
other remedies sometimes cure, but sometimes con- 
firm. Colton. 
God said— "Let there be light !" 
Grim darkness felt his might, 

And fled away; 
Then startled seas and mountains cold 
Shone forth, all bright in blue and gold, 
And cried— " Tis day! 'tis day ! " 
"Hail, holy light!" exclaim'd 
The thunderous cloud that flam'd 

O'er daisies white ; 
And lo ! the rose, in crimson dress'd, 
Lean'd sweetly on the lily's breast 

And blushing murmur'd "Light." 

Bbenezer Elliott. 



LITTLE THINGS. 181 



PROVERBS. 



Moral light is the radiation of divine glory. 
Light is the symbol of truth, the first creation of 
Deity. 

XC. 
LITTLE THINGS. 

BIBLE. 

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these 
least commandments, and shall teach men so, he 
shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: 
but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same 
shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. — 
Matt. v:i9. 

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, 
The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mus- 
tard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field : 
which indeed is the least of all seeds : but when it is 
grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becom- 
eth a tree, so that the birds of the air come and 
lodge in the branches thereof. — Matt, xiii 132. 

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good 
and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over 
a few things, I will make thee ruler over many 
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. — Matt. 

XXV 12 1. 

He that is faithful in that which is least is faith- 
ful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least 
is unjust also in much. — Luke xvi:io. 

LITERATURE. 

A star seems a little thing, yet it is perhaps a 
world. A word — how quickly spoken — how soon 
forgotten! Yet there may be life or death eternal 



182 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

in it ! A blow of the hand — how like a flash it may- 
be, yet may it lead to ignominy, to exile, or even a 
scaffold. Anon. 

Little drops of water, little grains of sand, 
Make the boundless ocean, and the beauteous land ; 
And the little moments, humble though they be, 
Make the mighty ages of eternity. 
Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, 
Make the earth an Eden, like the heaven above ; 
Little deeds of mercy, done by infant hands, 
Grow to bless the nations far off in heathen lands. 

Anon. 

Since trifles make the sum of human things, 
And half our misery from our foibles springs ; 
Since life's best joys consist in peace and ease, 
And though but few can serve, yet all may please; 
Oh, let the ungentle spirit learn from hence, 
A small unkindness is a great offence ! 
To spread large bounties, though we wish in vain, 
Yet all may shun the guilt of giving pain. More. 

proverbs. 

Eagles do not catch flies. 

Little leaks sink great ships. 

Small minds are won by trifles. 

Hair by hair the head grows bald. 

A fly is nothing, but it spoils the appetite. 

Much broth is sometimes made of little meat. 

Every little helps, said the dog as he snapped at 
the fly. 

Large streams from little fountains flow, tall 
oaks from little acorns grow. 



LONG-SUFFERING. 183 



XCI. 
LONG-SUFFERING. 

BIBLE. 

And the Lord passed by before him, and pro- 
claimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and 
gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness 
and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving 
iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will 
by no means clear the guilty. — Ex. xxxiv 16-7. 

But he, being full of compassion, forgave their 
iniquity, and destroyed them not; yea, many a time 
turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all 
his wrath. — Psa. lxxviii:38. 

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, 
and gracious ; long-suffering and plenteous in mercy 
and truth. — Psa. Ixxxvi:i5- 

He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor re- 
warded us according to our iniquities. — Psa. ciii:io. 

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth in- 
iquity, and passeth by the transgression of the rem- 
nant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for 
ever, because he delighteth in mercy. — Mic. vii:i8. 

The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, 
and will not at all acquit the wicked : the Lord hath 
his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the 
clouds are the dust of his feet. — Nah. i 13. 

UTERATUR3. 

Seeing a piece of suffering is carved to every one 
of us, less or more as Infinite Wisdom has thought 
good, our part is to harden and habituate our soft 
and thin-skinned nature to endure fire and water, 
devils, lions, men, losses, grieved hearts, as those 



184 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

that are looked upon by God, angels, men, and 
devils. Rutherford. 

Patience is the guardian of faith, the preserver 
of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humil- 
ity. Patience governs the flesh, strengthens the 
spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extin- 
guishes envy, subdues pride : she bridles the tongue, 
restrains the hand, tramples upon temptations, en- 
dures persecutions, consummates martyrdom. Pa- 
tience produces unity in the church, loyalty in the 
state, harmony in* families and societies : she com- 
forts the poor, and moderates the rich; she makes 
us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, un- 
moved by calumny and reproach; she teaches us to 
forgive those who have injured us, and to be the first 
in asking forgiveness of those whom we have in- 
jured; she delights the faithful, and invites the un- 
believing; she adorns the woman, and approves the 
man ; she is beautiful in either sex and every age. 

Behold her appearance and her attire! Her 
countenance is calm and serene as the face of heaven 
unspotted by the shadow of a cloud ; and no wrinkle 
of grief or anger is seen in her forehead. Her eyes 
are as the eyes of doves for meekness, and on her 
eyebrows sit cheerfulness and joy. Her mouth is 
lovely in silence; her complexion and color that of 
innocence and security; while, like the virgin, the 
daughter of Sion, she shakes her head at the adver- 
sary, despising, and laughing him to scorn. She is 
clothed in the robes of the martyrs, and in her hand 
she holds a sceptre in the form of a cross. She rides 
not in the whirlwind and stormy tempest of passion, 
but her throne is the humble and contrite heart, and 
her kingdom is the kingdom of peace. 

Bishop Home. 



LOVE. 185 

PROVERBS. 

Long-suffering is genius. 
Hold on ; hold fast ; hold out. 
A stout heart breaks ill luck. 
The longest day will have an end. 
When one door shuts another opens. 
The world is his who has patience. 
He who does not tire, tires adversity. 
* All comes right to him who can wait. 
The remedy for hard times is to have patience. 
Patience, time, and money overcome everything. 
If I have lost the rings, here are the fingers still. 
Patience is but lying to and riding out the gale. 
With time and patience the mulberry-leaf be- 
comes satin. 

XCII. 
LOVE. 

BIBIX 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of 
angels, and have not charity, I am become as sound- 
ing brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I 
have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mys- 
teries, and all knowledge; and though I have all 
faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have 
not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow 
all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give 
my body to be burned, and have not charity, it 
profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and 
is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not 
itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself un- 
seemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, 
thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but re- 
joiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all 
things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 



186 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Charity never f aileth : but whether there be prophe- 
cies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they 
shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall 
vanish away. For we know in part, and we pro- 
phesy in part. But when that which is perfect is 
come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood 
as a child, I thought as a child : but when I became 
a man, I put away childish things. For now we 
see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: 
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as 
also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, 
charity, these three; but the greatest of these is 
charity. — I Cor. xiii. 

LITERATURE. 

Love is like a painter, who in drawing the picture 
of a friend having a blemish in one eye would pic- 
ture only the other side of the face. South. 

Love goes toward love, as school boys from their 

books ; 
But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. 

Shakespeare. 

Love is ever busy with his shuttle ; 

Is ever weaving into life's dull warp 

Bright gorgeous flowers, and scenes Arcadian 

Hanging our gloomy prison-house about 

With tapestries, that make its walls dilate 

In never-ending vistas of delight. Longfellow. 

Love ! what a volume in a word ! an ocean in a tear I 
A seventh heaven in a glance ! a whirlwind in a sigh \ 
The lightning in a touch — a millennium in a mo- 
ment! 
What concentrated joy, or woe, in bless'd or blighted 
love ! Tupper. 



MEDITATION. 187 

It is better to have loved and lost, 
Than never to have loved at all. 

Tennyson. 
proverbs. 

■ If you wish to be loved, love. 

Love and poverty are hard to hide. 

Life is a flower of which love is the honey. 

Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak. 

Love is a shroud in which the faults of our loved 
one lie buried. 

To love for the sake of being loved is human ; but 
to love for the sake of loving is angelic. 



XCIII. 
MEDITATION. 

BIBI^. 

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your 
own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. — 
Psa. iv:4. 

My mouth shall speak of wisdom : and the medi- 
tation of my heart shall be of understanding. — Psa. 
xlix:3. 

I call to remembrance my song in the night; I 
commune with mine own heart ; and my spirit made 
diligent search. And I said, This is my infirmity: 
but I will remember the years of the right hand of 
the Most High. I will remember the works of the 
Lord; surely I will remember the wonders of old. 
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy 
doings. — Psa. lxxvii:6, 10-12. 

Princes also did sit and speak against me: but 
thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. — Psa. 
cxix : 23. 



188 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations 
of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my 
strength and my redeemer. — Psa. xix:i4. 

Meditate upon these things ; give thyself wholly 
to them ; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take 
heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue 
in them ; for in doing this thou shalt save both thy- 
self and them that hear thee. — I Tim. iv:i5, 16. 

LITERATURE. 

Frequent consideration of a thing wears off the 
strangeness of it; and shows it in its several lights 
and various ways of appearance, to the view of the 
mind. South. 

Though reading and conversation may furnish 
us with many ideas of men and things, yet it is our 
own meditation must form our judgment. 

Dr. I. Watts. 

Where a man has a passion for meditating with- 
out the capacity of thinking, a particular idea fixes 
itself fast and soon creates a mental disease. 

Goethe. 

Nothing has such a tendency to weaken, not only 
the power of invention, but the intellectual powers 
in general, as a habit of extensive and various read- 
ing without reflection. The activity and force of 
mind are gradually impaired in consequence of 
disease ; and, not unfrequently, all our principles and 
opinions come to be lost in the infinite multiplicity 
and discordancy of our acquired ideas. Stewart. 

proverbs. 

The heart may instruct the head. 
We form our judgment by meditating. 
One of the rarest faculties is profitable medita- 
tion. 



MEEKNESS. 189 

No soul can preserve the bloom of its existence 
without lonely musings and silent prayer. 



XCIV. 
MEEKNESS. 

BIBLE. 

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the 
earth. — Matt. v:5- 

The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the 
wicked down to the ground. — Psa. cxlvii:6. 

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, 
and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: 
and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his 
mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay 
the wicked. — Isa. xi:4. 

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to 
eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 
for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and 
the Lord shall reward thee. — Prov. xxv:2i-22. 

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of 
the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of 
obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall 
increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among 
men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. — Isa. 
xxix:i8-i9. 

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which 
have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, 
seek meekness : it may be ye shall be hid in the day 
of the Lord's anger. — Zeph. ii 13. 

With all lowliness and meekness, with long- 
suffering, forbearing one another in love. — Eph. 
iv:2. 



ipo GEMS OF WISDOM. 

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, 
happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, 
neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in 
your hearts : and be ready always to give an answer 
to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope 
that is in you, with meekness and fear. — I Pet. iii: 
14, 15. 

UTSRATUR3. 

As we do not keep tinder in every box in the 
house, so we do not keep the sense of anger in every 
faculty. When one comes against the door of some 
faculty with an injury, we look over the railing 
and say, "I'll forgive you for that, for you did not 
get in." But by-and-by when the faculty where we 
are sensitive is entered, then we grind our teeth 
and say, "I could have forgiven him for anything 
but that!" We must not arrogate to ourselves a 
spirit of forgiveness until we have been touched to 
the quick where we are sensitive, and borne it 
meekly; and meekness is not mere white-facedness, 
a mere contemplative virtue ; it is maintaining peace 
and patience in the midst of pelting provocations. 

Beecher. 

Meekness is imperfect if it be not active and pas- 
sive — if it will not enable us to subdue our own pas- 
sions and resentments, as well as qualify us to bear 
patiently the passions and resentments of others. 

Evangelical Magazine. 

The meek need not envy the lofty who sweep the 
earth with their gay robes, any more than real royal- 
ty is jealous of the kingly hero who struts his hour 
upon the stage. They shall be princes and rulers 
long after these actors have laid aside their tinseled 
crowns. Evangelical Magazine. 



MERCY. 191 

PROVERBS. 

When the heart is past hope the face is past 
shame. 

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own 
mouth. 

He who can feel ashamed will not readily go 
wrong. 

It's a good file that cuts the iron without making 
a noise. 

Modesty is a jewel, but one may wear too much 
jewelry. 

xcv. 

MERCY. 

BIBLE. 

For the Lord thy God is a merciful God, he will 
not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the 
covenant of thy fathers, which he sware unto them. 
— Deut. iv:3i. 

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for 
thou renderest to every man according to his work. 
— Psa. Ixii:i2. 

Nevertheless, for thy great mercies' sake, thou 
didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; 
for thou art a gracious and merciful God. — Neh. 
ix:3i. 

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: 
for his mercy endureth for ever. — Psa. cvii: 1. 

He hath made his wonderful works to be remem- 
bered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. 
— Psa. cxi:4. 

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our 
God is merciful. — Psa. cxvi:5- 

Let Israel hope in the Lord ; for with the Lord 



192 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemp- 
tion. — Psa. cxxx:7. 

To him who alone doeth great wonders : for his 
mercy endureth for ever, O give thanks unto the 
God of heaven : for his mercy endureth for ever. — 
Psa. cxxxvi 14, 26. 

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; 
slow to anger, and of great mercy. — Psa. cxlv : 8. 

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not con- 
sumed, because his compassions fail not. — Lam. iii: 

Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy 
salvation. — Psa. lxxxv :y. 

I entreated thy favor with my whole heart; be 
merciful unto me according to thy word. — Psa. 
cxix:58. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain 
mercy. — Matt. v:7- 

LITERATURE. 

There is more mercy in the merciful God 
Than e'er inhabited the pregnant eyes 
Of men, who waste unprofitable tears 
For all imaginable woes, and leave 
The poor uncomforted, to wail their own. 

Coleridge. 
'Tis mercy ! mercy ! 
The mark of heav'n impress'd on human kind, 
Mercy, that glads the world, deals joy around; 
Mercy that smooths the dreadful brow of power, 
And makes dominion light ; mercy that saves, 
Binds up the broken heart, and heals despair. 

Rowe. 
The quality of mercy is not strain'd : 
It droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven 
Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd, 



MOTHER. 193 

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes ; 

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes 

The throned monarch better than his crown : 

His scepter shows the force of temporal power, 

The attribute to awe and majesty, 

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings ; 

But mercy is above this scepter'd sway, 

It is an attribute to God himself ; 

And earthly power doth then show likest God's, 

When mercy seasons justice. 

Consider this — 
That, in the course of justice, none of us 
Should see salvation : we do pray for mercy ; 
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render 
The deeds of mercy. Shakespeare, 

proverbs. 

Misplaced lenity is a menace to society. 
It blesseth both the giver and receiver. 
The loftiest attribute of heaven is mercy. 
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy. 



XCVI. 
MOTHER. 

BIBLE. 

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and 
forsake not the law of thy mother : for they shall be 
an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains 
about thy neck. — Prov. i 18-9. 

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish 
son is the heaviness of his mother. — Prov. x:i. 

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish 
man despiseth his mother. — Prov. xv:20. 



194 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and de- 
spise not thy mother when she is old. — Prov. xxiii : 
22. 

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I 
comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusa- 
lem. — Isa. Ixvi:i3- 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord : for this 
is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is 
the first commandment with promise: that it may 
be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the 
earth. — Eph. v:i~3. 

LITERATURE. 

The loss of a mother is always felt ; even though 
her health may incapacitate her from taking any 
active part in the care of her family, still she is a 
sweet rallying point, around which affection and 
obedience, and a thousand tender endeavors to 
please, concentrate; and dreary is the blank when 
such a point is withdrawn! 

It is like that lonely star before us; neither its 
heat nor light are anything to us in themselves ; yet 
the shepherd would feel his heart sad if he missed 
it, when he lifts his eye to the brow of the moun- 
tain over which it rises when the sun descends. 

Lamartine. 

O wondrous power! how little understood — 
Entrusted to the mother's mind alone, 

To fashion genius, form the soul for good, 
Inspire a West, or train a Washington! 

Mrs. Hale. 

The mother, in her office, holds the key 
Of the soul ; and she it is who stamps the coin 
Of character, and makes the being who would be a 
savage, 






MURMURING. 195 

But for her gentle cares, a Christian man ; 
Then crown her queen of the world. 

Old Play. 

The greatest power on earth for preventing the 
loss of a child, or for reclaiming the wayward is the 
parents' love, especially the mother's love. None 
save the parent who in agony has watched the life 
ebb and flow, and then has barely saved or finally 
lost a precious child, can have any conception of 
a true parent's warmest love. 

Countless thousands of young men and women 
have felt that the remembrance of a precious 
mother's tender sympathy and unchanging love has 
kept them in the narrow path when all else would 
have been in vain. Truly, a noble mother is the 
most precious of all gifts — the greatest wonder of 
the world, the grandest miracle on earth, the high- 
est glory of angels in heaven, the most perfect work 
of Almighty God. Wm. J. Shearer. 

proverbs. 

We can have many wives, but only one mother. 

A love which asks no return. 

Nature's loving proxy. 

Dickens says, "the virtues of mothers and the 
sins of fathers shall be visited on their children." 

Youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship 
fall; a mother's love outlives them. 

Napoleon says, the future destiny of the child 
lies with the mother. 



XCVII. 
MURMURING. 

BIBLE. 

How long shall I bear with this evil generation, 



i 9 6 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

which murmur against me? I have heard the mur- 
murings of the children of Israel, which they mur- 
mur against me. Your carcases shall fall in this 
wilderness ; and all that were numbered of you, ac- 
cording to your whole number, from twenty years 
old and upward, which have murmured against me. 
— Num. xiv \2J, 29. 

And the people spake against God, and against 
Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of 
Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no 
bread, neither is there any water ; and our soul 
loatheth this light bread. — Num. xxi:5. 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's 
rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a 
token against the rebels: and thou shalt quite take 
away their murmurings from me, that they die not. 
And Moses did so: as the Lord commanded him, 
so did he. — Num. xvii:io-n. 

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also mur- 
mured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. — I Cor. 
x:io. 

Do all things without murmurings and dis- 
putings. — Phil, xi : 14. 

UTERATURE. 

The murmurer reminds us of the creaking wheel 
that wants oil; it may still go on its accustomed 
round, but with a jarring discord. 

Some murmur when their sky is clear, 

And wholly bright to view, 
If one small speck of dark appear 

In their great heaven of blue ; 
And some with thankful love are filled, 

If but one streak of light, 
One ray of God's good mercy, gild 

The darkness of their night. Trench. 



NAMES. 197 

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary; 

It rains, and the wind is never weary ; 

My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past, 

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast, 

And the day is dark and dreary. 
Be still, sad heart ! and cease repining ; 
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining ; 
Thy fate is the common fate of all — 
Into each life some rain must fall, 

Some days must be dark and dreary. 

Longfellow. 
proverbs. 
It is the curse of many miscalled homes. 
Murmuring is complaining without a reason. 
How sweet the murmuring of the running brook. 
Those who complain most are most to be com- 
plained of. 

How bitter the half-suppressed complaint, the 
muttering, grumbling — murmuring of the ever dis- 
satisfied, who know not why they murmur. 

XCVIII. 

NAMES. 

BIBLE. 

And Joseph called the name of the first-born 
Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget 
all my toil, and all my father's house. And the 
name of the second called he Ephraim; For God 
hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my 
affliction. — Gen. xli:5i, 52. 

And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The 
glory is departed from Israel: (because the ark of 
God was taken, and because of her father-in-law, 
and her husband). — I Sam. iv.21. 



iq8 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man 
of Belial, even Nabal ; for as his name is, so is he : 
Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I 
thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, 
whom thou didst send. — I Sam. xxv:25« 

Neither is there salvation in any other : for there 
is none other name under heaven given among men, 
whereby we must be saved. — Acts iv:i2. 

LITERATURE. 

Great names degrade instead of elevating those 
who know not how to sustain them. 

La Rochefoucauld. 

He that has complex ideas, without particular 
names for them, would be in no better case than a 
book-seller who had volumes that lay unbound and 
without titles, which he could make known to others 
only by showing the loose sheets. Locke. 

proverbs. 

It is the aroma of virtue. 

A good name lost is seldom regained. 

Who hath not owned the magic of a name? 

With the vulgar, names possess great importance. 

It is the best heritage to bequeath to our chil- 
dren. 

* He that filches from me my good name robs 
me of that which naught benefits him, but leaves 
me poor indeed. 

XCIX. 

OBEDIENCE. 

BIBLE. 

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice, accord- ' 
ing to that which I command thee. And his mother 



OBEDIENCE. 199 

said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son ; only 
obey my voice, and go fetch me them. — Gen. xxvii : 

8-13. 

j My son, attend to my words: incline thine ear 
unto my sayings: let them not depart from thine 
eyes ; keep them in the midst of thine heart : for they 
are life unto those that find them, and health to all 
their flesh. — Prov. iv:20-22. 

v ' My son, keep thy father's commandment, and 
forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them con- 
tinually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy 
neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when 
thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou 
awakest, it shall talk with thee. — Prov. vi :20-22. 

v My son, keep my words, and lay up my com- 
mandments with thee. Keep my commandments 
and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. 
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the 
table of thine heart. — Prov. viia-3. 

My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes 
observe my ways. — Prov. xxiii:26. 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for 
this is right. — Eph. vi:i. 

Children, obey your parents in all things: for 
this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. — Col. iii:20. 

literature. 

Heaven doth divide 
The state of man in divers functions, 
Setting endeavor in continual motion; 
To which is fix'd, as an aim or butt, 
Obedience. Shakespeare. 

It is foolish to strive with what we cannot avoid ; 
we are born subjects, and to obey God is perfect 



200 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

liberty; he that does this, shall be free, safe, and 
quiet; all his actions shall succeed to his wishes. 

Seneca. 
Filial obedience is the first and greatest requisite 
of a State; by this we become good subjects to our 
emperors, capable of behaving with just subordina- 
tion to our superiors, and grateful dependents on 
heaven. Goldsmith. 

PROVERBS. 

Let them obey who know not how to rule. 

Obedience is not only our duty but our interest. 

Obedience is wedded to safety, and is the mother 
of success. 

Receiving our life from parents, we prolong it 
by obedience. 

He who begot thee, rules thee, and possesses a 
natural right over thee. 



OBEDIENCE TO GOD. 

BIBIX 

Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordi- 
nances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. 
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judg- 
ments; which if a man do he shall live in them: I 
am the Lord. — Lev. xviii : 4-5. 

Sanctify yourselves, therefore, and be ye holy: 
for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep 
my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which 
sanctify you. Ye shall, therefore, keep all my 
statutes, and all my judgments, and do them, that 
the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew 
you not out. — Lev. xx : 7-8, 22. 



OBEDIENCE TO GOD. 201 

Thou shalt keep, therefore, his statutes, and his 
commandments, which I command thee this day, 
that it may go well with thee, and with thy children 
after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days 
upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, 
for ever. — Deut. iv:40. 

UTSRATUR3. 

Nothing can be love to God which does not 
shape itself into obedience. We remember the 
anecdote of the Roman commander who forbade an 
engagement with the enemy, and the first trans- 
gressor against whose prohibition was his son. He 
accepted the challenge of the leader of the other 
host, met, slew, spoiled him; and then, in trium- 
phant feeling, carried the spoils to his father's tent. 
But the Roman father refused to recognize the in- 
stinct which prompted this as deserving of the name 
of love. Disobedience contradicted it, and deserved 
death. F. W. Robertson. 

proverbs. 

Wicked men obey from fear, good men from 
love. 

A man owes not only his services but himself to 
God. 

It is safer to affront some people than to oblige 
them. 

We prefer to see those whom we have obliged, 
to those who have obliged us. 

By conferring a favor we do not always procure 
a friend, but often create enemies. 

The ground of religious action should be obedi- 
ence to the divine will in all things. 

Next to God, thy parents who have cherished 
thee will love and care under the divine law. 



202 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



CI. 
OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. 

BIBLE. 

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, 
and forgive, and do, and give to every man accord- 
ing to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for 
thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the 
children of men). — I Kings viii 139. 

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God 
of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and 
with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all 
hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of 
the thoughts : if thou seek him, he will be found of 
thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off 
for ever. — I Chron. xxviii : 9. 

He cutteth out rivers among the rocks ; and his 
eye seeth every precious thing. For he looketh to 
the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole 
heaven. — Job xxviii: 10, 24. 

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine up- 
rising; thou understandest my thought afar off. 
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and 
art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not 
a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest 
it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and be- 
fore, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowl- 
edge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot 
attain to it. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? 
or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I as- 
cend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my 
bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the 
wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost 






OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. 203 

parts of the sea ; even there shall thy hand lead me. 
and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, 
Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the 
night shall be light about me. Yea, the dark- 
ness hideth not from thee ; but the night shineth as 
the day: the darkness and the light are both alike 
to thee. — Psa. cxxxix:i-i2. 

UTERATURE. 

To the Hebrews the external universe is just 
a black screen concealing God. All things are full 
of, yet all distinct from, Him. The cloud on the 
mountain is His covering; the muttering from the 
chambers of the thunder is His voice ; that sound on 
the top of the mulberry trees is His "going" ; in that 
wind, which bends the forest or curls the clouds, He 
is walking; that sun is His still commanding eye. 

Whither can they go from His spirit? whither 
can they flee from His presence ? At every step and 
in every circumstance they feel themselves God- 
enclosed, God-filled, God-breathing men, with a 
spiritual presence lowering or smiling on them from 
the sky, sounding in wild tempest, or creeping in 
panic stillness across the surface of the earth; and, 
if they turn within, lo! it is there also — an "eye" 
hung in the central darkness of their own hearts. 
Hence the Muse of the Hebrew bard is not Dame 
Memory, nor any of her siren daughters, but the 
almighty, all-pervading Spirit himself, who is at 
once the subject, the auditor, and the inspirer, of 
the song. Gilffllan. 

proverbs. 

God delays but does not forget. 

All things proclaim the existence of a God. 

Live near to him, and your soul will be at peace. 

There is a never-sleeping Eye, seeing our hid- 
den faults. 



204 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

God exists in science, in history, and in con- 
science, three in one. 

There is nothing on earth worth knowing but 
God and our own souls. 

God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and 
its circumference beyond space. 



CIL 
OPPORTUNITY. 

BIBLE. 

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but 
he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth 
shame. — Pro v. x:5. 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call 
ye upon him while he is near. — Isa. Iv :6. 

The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and 
we are not saved. — Jer. viii :20. 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the 
prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, 
how often would I have gathered thy children to- 
gether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under 
her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house 
is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye 
shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed 
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. — Matt, 
xxiii 137-39. 

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man 
that is a householder, which went out early in the 
morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And 
when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny 
a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went 
out about the third hour, and saw others standing 
idle in the market-place, and said unto them : Go ye 



OPPORTUNITY. 205 

also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I 
will give you. And they went their way. Again 
he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did 
likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, 
and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, 
Why stand ye here all the day idle? — Matt. xx:i-6. 

UT3RATURE. 

No man possesses a genius so commanding that 
he can attain eminence unless a subject suited to 
his talents should present itself, and an opportunity 
occur for their development. Pliny. 

There is a tide in the affairs of men, 

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune ; 

Omitted, all the voyage of their life 

Is bound in shallows and in miseries: 

On such a full sea are we now afloat, 

And we must take the current when it serves, 

Or lose our ventures. Shakespeare. 

Opportunity is in respect to time, in some sense, 
as time is in respect to eternity; it is the small mo- 
ment, the exact point, the critical minute, on which 
every good work so much depends. Sprat. 

Opportunity has hair in front, behind she is 
bald ; if you seize her by the forelock, you may hold 
her, but, if suffered to escape, not Jupiter himself 
can catch her again. From the Latin. 

Miss not the occasion; by the forelock take 
That subtle power, the never-halting time, 
Lest a mere moment's putting off should make 
Mischance almost as heavy as a crime. 

Wordsworth. 

There sometimes wants only a stroke of fortune 
to discover numberless latent good or bad qualities, 
which would otherwise have been eternally con- 



206 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

cealed: as words written with a certain liquor ap- 
pear only when applied to the fire. Greville. 

proverbs. 

'Opportunities neglected are lost. 

Seize opportunity by the forelock. 

An occasion lost cannot be redeemed. 

If we do not watch we lose our opportunity. 

Bacon said, " a wise man will create opportuni- 
ties." 

To mean well in a bad cause will not excuse our 
actions. 

Opportunities should never be lost, lest they be 
not regained. 

It is a fatal error to spoil a good cause by bad 
management. 

cm, 

PARENTAL AFFECTION. 

BIBIvK. 

But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not 
with his brethren: for he said, Lest peradventure 
mischief befall him. And he said, My son shall not 
go down with you for his brother is dead, and he is 
left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in 
which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray 
hairs with sorrow to the grave. — Gen. xlii :4, 38. 

Now, therefore, when I come to thy servant my 
father, and the lad be not with us; (seeing that his 
life is bound up in the lad's life) ; it shall come to 
pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that 
he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the 
gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow 
to the grave. — Gen. xliv:30, 31. 

And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and 



PARENTAL AFFECTION. 207 

he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And 
Jacob's heart fainted for he believed them not. And 
they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had 
said unto them : and when he saw the wagons which 
Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob 
their father revived. And Israel said, It is enough ; 
Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him 
before I die. — Gen. xlv 126-28. 

And he brought them near unto him; and he 
kissed them, and embraced them. — Gen. xlviii:io. 

LITERATURE. 

The joys of parents are secret, and so are their 
griefs and fears ; they cannot utter the one, nor they 
will not utter the other. Children sweeten labors, 
but they make misfortunes more bitter ; increase the 
cares of life, but they mitigate the remembrance of 
death. Lord Bacon. 

Honor thy parents to prolong thine end; 

With them, though for a truth do not contend ; 

Though all should truth defend, do thou lose rather 

The truth awhile, than lose their love forever. 
Whoever makes his father's heart to bleed, 
Shall have a child that will revenge the deed. 

Randolph. 

The love of a mother is never exhausted, it never 
changes, it never tires. A father may turn his back 
on his child, brothers and sisters may become in- 
veterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, 
wives their husbands. 

But a mother's love endures through all; in 
good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world's 
condemnation, a mother still loves on, and still hopes 
that her child may turn from his evil ways, and re- 
pent ; still she remembers the infant smiles that once 
filled her bosom with rapture, the merry laugh, the 



208 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

joyful shout of his childhood, the opening promise 
of his youth ; and she can never be brought to think 
him all unworthy. Washington Irving. 

proverbs. 

* Mother is still the sweetest name on earth. 

God could not be everywhere, so he gave us 
mothers. 

A father's heart is tender, though the man is 
made of stone. 

CIV. 
PARENTAL LOVE. 

BIBM. 

And he said, A certain man had two sons: and 
the younger of them said to his father, Father, give 
me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And 
he divided unto them his living. And not many 
days after the younger son gathered all together, 
and took his journey into a far country, and there 
wasted his substance with riotous living. And 
when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine 
in that land ; and he began to be in want. And he 
went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; 
and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And 
he would fain have filled his belly with the husks 
that the swine did eat : and no man gave unto him. 

And when he came to himself, he said, How 
many hired servants of my father have bread 
enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger ! I 
will arise and go to my father, and will say unto 
him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and be- 
fore thee, and I am no more worthy to be called thy 
son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And 
he arose, and came to his father. 



PARENTAL LOVE. 209 

But when he was yet a great way off, his 
father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, 
and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And 
the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned 
against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no 
more worthy to be called thy son. But the father 
said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and 
put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes 
on his feet : and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill 
it ; and let us eat, and be merry : for this my son was 
dead, and is alive again ; he was lost, and is found. 
And they began to be merry. — Luke xv: 11-24. 

UTERATURE. 

With what wondrous love the true parent looks 
into the baby features of the tiny prophecy of future 
possibilities — possibilities that are at once terrible 
and inspiring in their consequences ! 

The helpless little child awakens the earnest sym- 
pathy of the coldest heart. Yes, the hardest heart 
is melted, and the most selfish soul is warmed into 
new life by the contemplation of a little child. Gaze 
on the innocent face as yet not touched by the care- 
producing hand of time ! Contemplate the helpless 
body, which must develop powers that will enable 
it to fight life's battle ! 

The icy-hearted, unsympathetic cynic may smile, 
but the solicitous parent dare scarcely think of the 
weary way that the little feet must tread. Then 
wonder not that all, save the unnatural parent, shud- 
der when they think of the dangers which must be 
avoided at every turn ; of the chasms and pitfalls of 
sin upon all sides ; of the inviting temptations to be 
met with upon the stony uplands of later life, up 
and over which these tender feet must tread their 
ofttimes weary way. 



210 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

In words that can never be forgotten, Miss Tay- 
lor speaks thus of a mother's love: 

Hast thou sounded the depths of yonder sea, 
And counted the sands that under it be? 
Hast thou measured the height of heaven above ? 
Then mayest thou measure a mother's love. 
Evening and morn, hast thou watched the bee 
Go forth on her errands of industry? 
The bee, for herself, hath gathered and toiled, 
But the mother's cares are all for her child. 
There is not a grand, inspiring thought, 
There is not a truth by wisdom taught, 
There is not a feeling, pure and high, 
That may not be read in mother's eye. 
There are teachings on earth, and sky and air, 
The heavens the glory of God declare, 
But more loud than the voice beneath, above, 
He is heard to speak through a mother's love. 
Who has not read with emotion the lines of Miss 
Allen: 

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight, 
Make me a child again, just for to-night; 
Mother, come back from the echoless shore, 
Take me again to your heart as of yore ; 
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care, 
Smooth the few silver threads of my hair; 
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep ; 
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep ! 
Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue, 
Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you; 
Many a summer the grass has grown green, 
Blossomed and faded, our faces between; 
Yet with strong yearning and passionate pain, 
Long I to-night for your presence again. 
Come from the silence so long and so deep, — 
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep ! 



PARENTAL LOVE. 211 

Over my heart in the days that are flown 
No love like mother-love ever has shown, 
No other worship abides and endures, 
Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours ; 
None like a mother can charm away pain 
From the sick-souled, and world-weary brain. 
Slumber's soft calms o'er my heavy lids creep, — 
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep ! 
Mother, dear mother, the years have been long 
Since I last listened to your lullaby song; 
Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem 
Womanhood's eyes have been only a dream ; 
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace, 
With your light lashes just sweeping my face, 
Never hereafter to wake or to weep, — 
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep ! 

Noble mothers, grow not weary and faint ! Up- 
on you depends not only the happiness of the home, 
but even the future of our country. Upon you will 
forever rest, not only the blessings of your children, 
but the highest benediction of Almighty God, whose 
representatives you are on earth. 

William J. Shearer. 
proverbs. 

A mother's love and faith outlives all else. 
* An ounce of parents' interest is worth a pound 
of clergy. 

The parents' joy is the good fortune of their chil- 
dren. 

We never appreciate our parents until we lose 
them. 

. No language can express the power, beauty and 
self-devotion of a mother's love; it shrinks not 
where man curses, and gains strength by adversity; 
its radiance is like the stars in heaven. 



212 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



cv. 



PATIENCE. 

BIBLE. 

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved 
his head, and fell down upon the ground, and wor- 
shipped. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged 
God foolishly. — Job i : 20. 

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of 
the foolish women speaketh. What! shall we re- 
ceive good at the hand of God, and shall we not 
receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his 
lips. — Job ii:io. 

I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because 
I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, 
and execute judgment for me: he will bring me 
forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteous- 
ness. — Mic. vii:9. 

And when he would not be persuaded we ceased, 
saying, The will of the Lord be done. — Acts xxi:i4. 

Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming 
of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for 
the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long pa- 
tience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the 
coming of the Lord draweth nigh. — Jas. v :7~8. 

LITERATURE. 

It is but reasonable to bear that accident pa- 
tiently which God sends, since impatience does but 
entangle us, like the fluttering of a bird in a net, but 
cannot at all ease our trouble, or prevent the acci- 
dent ; it must be run through, and therefore it were 



PATIENCE. 213 

better we compose ourselves to a patient than to a 
troublous and miserable suffering. 

Jeremy Taylor. 

By their patience and perseverance God's chil- 
dren are truly known from hypocrites and dissem- 
blers. Augustine. 

Patience makes that more tolerable which it is 
impossible to prevent or remove. Horace. 

There is a limit at which forbearance ceases to 
be a virtue. Burke. 

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. 

/. /. Rousseau. 
I see thou hast pass'd sentence on my part ; 
And I'll no longer weep, or plead against it; 
But with the humblest, most obedient patience 
Meet thy dear hands, and kiss them when they 
wound me. Otway. 

Be patient! oh, be patient! Put your ear against 

the earth! 
Listen there how noiselessly the germ o' the seed has 

birth- 
How noiselessly and gently it upheaves its little way, 
Till it parts the scarcely broken ground, and the 

blade stands up in day. 
Be patient! oh, be patient! The germs of mighty 

thought 
Must have their silent undergrowth — must under- 
ground be wrought. Trench. 

proverbs. 

Patience is the key of Paradise. 
It's a good blade that bends well. 
The world is his who has patience. 
The salt of patience seasons everything. 
What cannot be cured must be endured. 



214 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Better bend the neck than bruise the forehead. 

It's easy to find reasons why other folks should 
be patient. 

There is no greater misfortune than not to be 
able to bear misfortune. 

CVI. 
PATRIOTISM. 

BIBLE. 

Let every soul be subject unto the higher pow- 
ers. For there is no power but of God : the powers 
that be are ordained of God. Whosoever there- 
fore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of 
God : and they that resist shall receive to themselves 
damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good 
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid 
of the power ? do that which is good, and thou shalt 
have praise of the same: for he is the minister of 
God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is 
evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the sword in vain : 
for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute 
wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only 
for wrath, but also for conscience's sake. For, 
for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they 
are God's ministers, attending continually upon 
this very thing. Render therefore to all their 
dues : tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom 
to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour 
to whom honour. Owe no man anything, but 
to love one another: for he that loveth another 
hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not 
commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not 
steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt 
not covet ; and if there be any other commandment, 



PATRIOTISM. 215 

it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, 
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love 
worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is 
the fulfilling of the law. — Rom. xiii:i-io. 

LITERATURE. 

Then none was for a party; 

Then all were for the State ; 
Then the great men help'd the poor, 
And the poor men lov'd the great ; 
Then lands were fairly portion'd; 
Then spoils were fairly sold; 
The Romans were like brothers 

In the brave days of old. Macaulay. 

'Tis home-felt pleasure prompts the patriot's sigh; 
This makes him wish to live, and dare to die. 

Campbell. 
Breathes there a man with soul so dead, 
Who never to himself hath said, 

This is my own, my native land ? 
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, 
As home his footsteps he hath turned, 

From wandering on a foreign strand? 
If such there breathe, go, mark him well — 
For him no minstrel raptures swell; 
High though his titles, proud his name, 
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim; 
Despite those titles, power, and pelf, 
The wretch, concentered all in self, 
Living, shall forfeit fair renown, 
And, doubly dying, shall go down 
To the vile dust from whence he sprung, 
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung. Scott. 

Had I a dozen sons — each in my love alike — I 
had rather had eleven die nobly for their country, 
than one voluptuously surfeit out of Action. 

Shakespeare. 



216 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

PROVERBS. 

« He serves his party best who serves his country 
best. 

■ One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one 
nation evermore. 

I was born an American ; I live an American ; I 
shall die an American. 

Let our object be our country, our whole coun- 
try, and nothing but our country. 

Our country! In her intercourse with foreign 
nations may she always be in the right; but our 
country right or wrong. 



CVII. 
PEACE. 

BIBLE. 

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. — Num. v:26. 

Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my cov- 
enant of peace. — Num. xxv:i2. 

Depart from evil, and do good ; seek peace, and 
pursue it. — Psa. xxxiv : 14. 

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall 
delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for 
the end of that man is peace. — Psa. xxxvii: 11, 37, 

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and 
abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 
— Psa. lxxii:/. 

Mercy and truth are met together ; righteousness 
and peace have kissed each other. — Psa. lxxxvno. 

Great peace have they which love thy law: and 
nothing shall offend them. — Psa. cxix:i65. 



PEACE. 217 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is 
given: and the government shall be upon his 
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, 
Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting 
Father, The Prince of Peace. — Isa. ix : 6. 

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his salt- 
ness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in 
yourselves, and have peace one with another. — 
Mark ix:5o. 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men. — Luke ii 114. 

UT3RATUR3. 

A peace is of the nature of a conquest ; 
For then both parties nobly are subdued, 
And neither party loser. Shakespeare. 

O beauteous peace! 
Sweet union of a state! what else but thou 
Gives safety, strength, and glory to a people? 

Thomson. 
Five great enemies to Peace inhabit with us, 
viz., avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride, and 
if those enemies were to be banished, we should 
infallibly enjoy perpetual peace. Anon. 

That peace is an evil peace that doth shut truth 
out of doors. If peace and truth cannot go to- 
gether, truth is to be preferred, and rather to be 
chosen for a companion than peace. Tillinghast. 

proverbs. 

Peace is rarely denied to the peaceful. 

Better an unjust peace than a just war. 

He that would live in peace and rest, must hear 
and see and say the best. 

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, 
than a house full of sacrifices with strife. 



218 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



CVIIL 



PERFECTION. 

BJBIA 

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, 
the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, 
I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be 
thou perfect. — Gen. xvii:i. 

Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. 
— Deut. xviii:i3. 

Be ye, therefore, very courageous to keep and 
to do all that is written in the book of the law of 
Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right 
hand or to the left. — Josh, xxiii : 6. 

Let your heart, therefore, be perfect with the 
Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep 
his commandments, as at this day. — I Kings viii:6i. 

Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father 
which is in heaven is perfect. — Matt, v 148. 

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons 
of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked 
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights 
in the world. — Phil, ii: 15. 

Whom we preach, warning every man, and 
teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may 
present every man perfect in Christ Jesus ; where- 
unto I also labor, striving according to his work- 
ing, which worketh in me mightily. — Col. i 128, 29. 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine 
of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying 
again the foundation of repentance from dead 
works, and of faith toward God. — Heb. vi: 1. 

Finally, brethren, farewell: be perfect, be of 
good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and 



PERSEVERANCE. 219 

the God of love and peace shall be with you. — II 
Cor. xiii: 9, 11. 

UTERATURE. 

Perfection is attained by slow degrees; she re- 
quires the hand of time. Voltaire. 

To arrive at perfection, a man should have very 
sincere friends or inveterate enemies ; because he 
would be made sensible of his good or ill conduct, 
either by the censures of the one, or the admonitions 
of the other. Diogenes. 

Aim at perfection in everything, though in most 
things it is unattainable. However, they who aim 
at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it 
than those whose laziness and despondency make 
them give it up as unattainable. Chesterfield. 

proverbs. 

It is obtained by slow degrees. 

Perfection requires time to obtain. 

We are what we are ; we gain nothing by copy- 
ing others. 

The perfection of a man is to be cognizant of 
his own imperfections. 

CIX. 
PERSEVERANCE. 

BIBM. 

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same 
shall be saved. — Matt, xxiv.13. 

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in 
my love ; even as I have kept my Father's command- 
ments, and abide in his love. — John xv:io. 

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gos- 
pel which I preached unto you, which also ye have 



220 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

received, and wherein ye stand. By which also ye 
are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached 
unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. — I Cor. 
xv:i-2. 

And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in 
due season we shall reap, if we faint not. — Gal. 
vi:9- 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of lib- 
erty, and continueth therein, he being not a forget- 
ful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall 
be blessed in his deed. — Jas. i 125. 

They went out from us, but they were not of 
us ; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt 
have continued with us : but they went out, that they 
might be made manifest that they were not all of 
us. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have 
heard from the beginning. If that which ye have 
heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye 
also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. — 
I John ii:i9, 24. 

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with 
me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am 
set down with my Father in his throne. — Rev. iii :2i. 

He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and 
I will be his God, and he shall be my son. — Rev. 
xxi :y. 

LITERATURE. 

Great works are performed not by strength, but 
by perseverance. Johnson. 

No rock so hard but that a little wave may beat 
admission in a thousand years. 

A falling drop at last will cave a stone. 

Lucretius. 

Perseverance is a Roman virtue, 
That wins each god-like act, and plucks success 



PERSEVERANCE. 221 

Even from the spear-proof crest of rugged danger. 

Havard. 

The difference between perseverance and ob- 
stinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, 
and the other from a strong won't. Anon. 

He will never enjoy the sweets of the spring, 
nor will he obtain the honeycombs of Mount Hybla, 
if he dreads his face being stung, or is annoyed by 
briers. The rose is guarded by its thorn, the 
honey is defended by the bee. From the Latin. 

Carry a thing through. Persevere; don't do 
anything else. If you once fairly, soundly, wide 
awakely begin a thing, let it be carried through, 
though it cost you your best comfort, time, energies, 
and all that you can command. 

Carry a thing through. Don't begin it till you 
are fully prepared for its accomplishment. Think, 
study, dig, till you know your ground, see your 
way. This done, launch out with all your soul, 
heart, and fire ; turn neither to the right nor left. 

Anon. 
The heights by great men gained and kept 

Were not attained by sudden flight; 
But they, while their companions slept, 
Were toiling upwards in the light. 

Longfellow. 

PROVERBS. 

He who is determined has half his work done. 

The word "impossible" is not in any dictionary. 

He only is a well-made man who has a good de- 
termination. 

There is nothing difficult in the world ; the only 
fear is that men will lack perseverance. 

Like a postage stamp, a man's value depends on 
his ability to stick to a thing till he gets there. 



222 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



ex. 



PHARAOH'S DREAM. 

BIBI,3. 

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, 
that Pharaoh dreamed : and, behold, he stood by the 
river. And, behold, there came up out of the river 
seven well-favored kine and fatfleshed; and they 
fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine 
came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and 
leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the 
brink of the river. And the ill-favored and lean- 
fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and 
fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 

And he slept and dreamed the second time : and, 
behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, 
rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and 
blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 
And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank 
and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it 
was a dream. 

And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit 
was troubled; and he sent and called for all the 
magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: 
and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was 
none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Then 
spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do 
remember my faults this day: Pharaoh was wroth 
with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain 
of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker: 
and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; 
we dreamed each man according to the interpreta- 
tion of his dream. And there was there with us a 
young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the 
guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us 



PHARAOH'S DREAM. 223 

our dreams; to each man according to his dream 
he did interpret. And it came to pass, as he inter- 
preted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine 
office, and him he hanged. 

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and 
they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: 
and he shaved himself, and changed his rai- 
ment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pha- 
raoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, 
and there is none that can interpret it: and I have 
heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a 
dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pha- 
raoh, saying, It is not in me : God shall give Pharaoh 
an answer of peace. — Gen. xliv: 1-16. 

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, 
behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: and, 
behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, 
fatfleshed and well-favored; and they fed in a 
meadow: and, behold, seven other kine came up 
after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean- 
fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt 
for badness: and the lean and the ill-favored kine 
did eat up the first seven fat kine: and when they 
had eaten them up, it could not be known that they 
had eaten them ; but they were still ill-favored, as at 
the beginning. So I awoke. 

And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears 
came up in one stalk, full and good: and, behold, 
seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east 
wind, sprung up after them: and the thin ears de- 
voured the seven good ears : and I told this unto the 
magicians ; but there was none that could declare 
it to me. 

And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of 
Pharaoh is one : God hath shewed Pharaoh what he 
is about to do. The seven good kine are seven 



224 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

years ; and the seven good ears are seven years : the 
dream is one. And the seven thin and ill-favored 
kine that came up after them are seven years ; and 
the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall 
be seven years of famine. This is the thing which 
I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about 
to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come 
seven years of great plenty throughout all the land 
of Egypt: and there shall arise after them seven 
years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgot- 
ten in the land of Egypt ; and the famine shall con- 
sume the land; and the plenty shall not be known 
in the land by reason of that famine following; for 
it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream 
was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the 
thing is established by God, and God will shortly 
bring it to pass. 

Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man 
discreet and wise, and set him over the land 
of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him 
appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth 
part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous 
years. And let them gather all the food of those 
good years that come, and lay up corn under the 
hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cit- 
ies. And that food shall be for store to the land 
against the seven years of famine, which shall be 
in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not 
through the famine. — Gen. xli: 17-36. 

U^ERATURE. 

The Egyptians and Babylonians attached great 
importance to dreams, and to interpret them was 
the work of a distinct and learned profession. The 
Persians, also, attached great importance to dreams ; 
and it is reported Cyrus was cast forth at his birth, 



POWER OF GOD. 225 

because a dream of his mother was interpreted to 
promise him universal empire. 

In the Chou-King of the Chinese it is in dreams 
that the Sovereign of heaven makes his will known 
to the sovereign of earth. In Homer dreams came 
from Jove. The Greeks and Romans believed that, 
in the solitude of caves, and groves and temples, 
the gods appeared in dreams, and deigned to answer 
in dreams their votaries. Among the Hindoos, 
dreams give a coloring to the whole business of 
life. All dreams are of importance among the 
North American Indians. The Moslems hold good 
dreams from God, and bad from the Devil. 

proverbs. 

Dreams are the offspring of indigestion. 

Pudding is the stuff that makes dreams. 

Let not our disturbed dreams affect our souls. 

They display the boundless limit of the imagina- 
tion. 

Poor wretches, who depend on greatness' favor, 
dream as I have done, awake, and find nothing. 



CXI. 

POWER OF GOD. 

BIBI^. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, 
thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour 
and majesty: who coverest thyself with light as 
with a garment : who stretchest out the heavens like 
a curtain : who layeth the beams of his chambers in 
the waters : who maketh the clouds his chariot : who 
walketh upon the wings of the wind: who maketh 
his angels spirits ; his ministers a flaming fire : who 



226 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not 
be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the 
deep as with a garment : the waters stood above the 
mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice 
of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by 
the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto 
the place which thou hast found for them. Thou 
hast set a bound that they may not pass over ; that 
they turn not again to cover the earth. He sendeth 
the springs into the valleys, which run among the 
hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: 
the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall 
the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which 
sing among the branches. He watereth the hills 
from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the 
fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow 
for the cattle, and herb for the service of man : that 
he may bring forth food out of the earth. — Psa. civ : 
1-14. 

LITERATURE. 

Pompey boasted that, with one stamp of his foot, 
he could rouse all Italy to arms; but God, by one 
word of his mouth, can summon the inhabitants of 
heaven, earth, and the undiscovered worlds, to his 
aid, or bring new creatures into being to do his will. 

proverbs. 

Justice without power is inefficient. 

All human power is but comparative. 
• He is most powerful who governs himself. 

All power is a compound of time and patience. 

Where power and liberty are intermingled every- 
thing prospers, but when they are apart they are 
destructive. 



PRAISE. 227 



CXIL 



PRAISE. 

BIBI/E. 

Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, 
make known his deeds among the people. Sing 
unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his 
wondrous works. Sing unto the Lord all the earth ; 
shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare 
his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works 
among all nations. Give unto the Lord, ye kin- 
dreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and 
strength: Give unto the Lord the glory due unto 
his name. — I Chron. xvi : 8, 9, 23, 24, 28, 29. 

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the 
Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the 
glory due unto his name: worship the Lord in the 
beauty of holiness. — Psa. xxix:i-2. 

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto 
God with the voice of triumph : sing praises to God, 
sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing 
praises. — Psa. xlvii:i,6. 

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands. 
Sing forth the honour of his name ; make his praise 
glorious. O bless our God, ye people, and make the 
voice of his praise to be heard. — Psa. lxvi:i, 2, 8. 

Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the peo- 
ple, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give 
unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring 
an offering, and come into his courts. — Psa. xcvi: 

7,8. 

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his 
presence with singing. — Psa. c: 1, 2. 

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his 



228 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

name ; make known his deeds among the people. — 
Psa. cv.i. 

Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his good- 
ness, and for his wonderful works to the children 
of men. — Psa. cvii : 8. 

UTERATUR3. 

The desire which urges us to deserve praise 
strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to 
wit, valor, and beauty, tends to increase them. 

La Rochefoucauld. 

Allow no man to be so free with you as to praise 
you to your face. Your vanity by this means will 
want its food. At the same time your passion for 
esteem will be more fully gratified ; men will praise 
you in their actions: where you now receive one 
compliment you will then receive twenty civilities. 

Steele. 
Praise has different effects, according to the mind 
it meets with; it makes a wise man modest, but a 
fool more arrogant, turning his weak brain giddy. 

Feltham. 

Praise, of all things, is the most powerful in- 
citement to commendable actions, and animates us 
in our enterprises. La Bruyere. 

It is a great happiness to be praised by them that 
are praiseworthy. Sir Philip Sidney. 

Whenever you commend, add your reasons for 
doing so ; it is this which distinguishes the approba- 
tion of a man of sense from the flattery of syco- 
phants and admiration of fools. Steele. 

proverbs. 

Faint praise is disparagement. 
He is a fool who praises himself. 
Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise. 



PRAYER. 229 

What a person praises is a surer criterion even 
than what he condemns. 

The shame which arises from praise which we 
do not deserve often incites us to acts which we 
should never otherwise have attempted. 

CXIII. 
PRAYER. 

BIBLE. 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call 
ye upon him while he is near. — Isa. lv:6. 

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto 
God in the heavens. — Lam. iii:4l. 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, 
that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. — 
Luke xviii:i. 

Be careful for nothing: but in everything by 
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your 
requests be known unto God. — Phil, iv : 6. 

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with 
thanksgiving. — Col. iv:2. 

Pray without ceasing. — I Thess. v: 17. 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O 
Lord: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto 
thee, and will look up. — Psa. v:3- 

Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray 
and cry aloud ; and he shall hear my voice. — Psa. Iv : 

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our 
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as 
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 



230 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from 
evil. — Matthew ix:i3. 

LITERATURE. 

Lord Ashley before he charged at the battle of 
Edge Hill made this short prayer: "O Lord! 
Thou knowest how busy I must be this day; if I 
forget Thee, do not Thou forget me." 

No man can hinder our private addresses to God : 
every man can build a chapel in his breast, himself 
the priest, his heart the sacrifice, and the earth he 
treads on the altar. 

The Lord's Prayer is short, mysterious, and, 
like the treasures of the spirit, full of wisdom and 
latent sense : it is not improper to draw forth those 
excellencies which are intended and signified by 
every petition, that by so excellent an authority we 
may know what it is lawful to beg of God. 

Jeremy Taylor. 

The Lord's Prayer, for a succession of solemn 
thoughts, for fixing the attention upon a few great 
points, for suitableness to every condition, for suffi- 
ciency, for conciseness without obscurity, for the 
weight and real importance of its petition, is with- 
out an equal or a rival. Paley. 

proverbs. 

The grand morality is love of God. 

Without prayer no work is well begun. 

God waits to be gracious, and the gracious wait 
on God. 

God loves us, not for what we are, but for what 
he can maks us. 

Religion is, in its essence, the most gentlemanly 
thing in the world. 

Lord grant me one suit, which is this : Deny me 
all suits which are bad for me. 



PRESUMPTION. 231 



CXIV. 



PRESUMPTION. 

BIBLE. 

And they rose up early in the morning, and gat 
them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, 
we be here, and will go up unto the place which the 
Lord hath promised: for we have sinned. And 
Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the 
commandment of the Lord ? but it shall not prosper. 
Go not up, for the Lord is not among you ; that ye 
be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amale- 
kites and the Canaanites are there before you, and 
ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned 
away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not 
be with you. But they presumed to go up unto the 
hill top : nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the 
Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. — 
Num. xiv:40-44. 

But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, 
whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the 
same reproacheth the Lord: and that soul shall be 
cut off from among his people. — Num. xv :3c 

And the man that will do presumptuously, and 
will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to 
minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the 
judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put 
away evil from Israel. And all the people shall 
hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. — 
Deut. xvii:i2, 13. 

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes : but 
he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. — Prov. xii : 
15. 



232 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

LITERATURE. 

We may recover out of the darkness of ignor- 
ance, but never out of that of presumption. 

Stanislaus. 

Presumption of every kind supposes folly at the 
bottom. Lavater. 

Presumption is a fire- work, made up of pride and 
foolhardiness. It is indeed like a heavy house built 
upon slender crutches ; like dust, which men throw 
against the wind, it flies back in their face and 
makes them blind. Wise men presume nothing, but 
hope the best ; presumption is hope out of her wits. 

T. Adams. 
proverbs. 

The higher the rank the less pretense. 

Despair has ruined some, but presumption multi- 
tudes. 

In friendship those who pretend most are the 
least worthy of note. 

He who gives himself airs of importance ex- 
hibits the credentials of impotence. 

The more one speaks of himself the less he de- 
sires to hear another one spoken well of. 



cxv. 

PRIDE. 

BIBLE. 

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty 
spirit before a fall. — Prov. xvi:i8. 

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and 
the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and 
the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. — Isa. ii : 
ii. 



PRIDE. 233 

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, 
son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the 
ground, which didst weaken the nations ! For thou 
hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, 
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I 
will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, 
in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the 
heights of the clouds ; I will be like the most High. 
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides 
of the pit. — Isa. xiv:i2-i5. 

Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, 
saith the Lord God of hosts: for thy day is come, 
the time that I will visit thee. And the most proud 
shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up : 
and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall de- 
vour all round about him. — Jer. 1:31,32. 

LITERATURE. 

The lofty pine is oftenest agitated by the winds 
— high towers rush to the earth with a heavier fall — 
and the lightning most frequently strikes the highest 
mountains. Horace. 

Pride is observed to defeat its own end, by bring- 
ing the man who seeks esteem and reverence into 
contempt. B olingbro k e. 

What is pride? a whizzing rocket 

That would emulate a star. Wordsworth. 

One thing pride has, which no other vice that 
I know of has : it is an enemy to itself ; and a proud 
man cannot endure to see pride in another. Feltham. 

In pride, in reas'ning pride, our error lies ; 
All quit their sphere and rush into the skies ; 
Pride still is aiming at the bless'd abodes ; 
Men would be angels, angels would be gods. 

Pope. 



234 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

PROVERBS. 

Pride and grace never dwell in one place. 

If pride were an art there would be many teach- 
ers. 

Pride leaves home on horseback, but returns on 
foot. 

He who pitches too high won't get through his 
song. 

Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great 
deal more saucy. 

Because you flourish in worldly affairs, 
Don't be haughty and put on airs. 

CXVI. 
PROCRASTINATION. 

BIBLE. 

And it came to pass, when they had brought 
them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life ; 
look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the 
plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be con- 
sumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my 
Lord: Behold now, thy servant hath found grace 
in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, 
which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life ; 
and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil 
take me, and I die: Behold now, this city is near 
to flee unto, and it is a little one: O, let me escape 
thither (is it not a little one?), and my soul shall 
live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted 
thee concerning this thing also, that I will not over- 
throw this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 
Haste thee, escape thither ; for I cannot do anything 
till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of 
the city was called Zoar. — Gen. xix: 15-22. 



PROCRASTINATION. 235 

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again 
by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is 
like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for 
his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that 
were bidden to the wedding: and they would not 
come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, 
Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have pre- 
pared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are 
killed, and all things are ready : come unto the mar- 
riage. But they made light of it, and went their 
ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 
and the remnant took his servants, and entreated 
them spitefully, and slew them. — Matt. xxii:i-6. 

UTERATURS. 

Procrastination is the thief of time. Dr. Young. 
Be wise to-day; 'tis madness to defer; 
Next day the fatal precedent will plead; 
Thus on, till wisdom is push'd out of life. 

Young. 
Defer not till to-morrow to be wise, 
To-morrow's sun to thee may never rise. 

Congreve. 
He who prorogues the honesty of to-day till to- 
morrow will probably prorogue his to-morrows to 
eternity. Lavater. 

Is not he imprudent who, seeing the tide making 
haste towards him apace, will sleep till the sea over- 
whelms him? Tillotson. 
Alexander, when one asked of him how he had 
conquered the world, gave the answer : "By not de- 
laying." The same was eminently true of Csesar, 
Napoleon, and other great warriors. 
Don't tell me of to-morrow! 

Give me the man who'll say 
That, when a good deed's to be done, 



236 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

"Let's do the deed to-day! 3 
We may all command the present, 

If we act and never wait, 
But repentance is the phantom 

Of a past that comes too late ! Carpenter, 

proverbs. 

A little too late, much too late. 

How soon "not now" becomes never. 

Procrastination's sun to thee may never rise. 

Better three hours too soon than a minute too 
late. 

Have not thy cloak to make when it begins to 
rain. 

'Tis but a short journey across the isthmus of 
"Now." 

* It is too late to cover the well when the child is 
drowned. 

CXVII. 

PROVIDENCE. 

BIBIvE. 

For all this I considered in my heart, even to 
declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, 
and their works, are in the hand of God: no man 
knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before 
them. All things come alike to all: there is one 
event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the 
good, and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him 
that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not; as 
is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, 
as he that feareth an oath. This is an evil among 
all things that are done under the sun, that there is 
one event unto all; yea also the heart of the sons 
of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart 



PROVIDENCE. 237 

while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 
I returned and saw under the sun that the race is 
not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither 
yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of un- 
derstanding, nor yet favor to men of skill ; but time 
and chance happeneth to them all. — Eccl. ixa-3, II. 

UTERATURS. 

This is thy work, Almighty Providence ! 
Whose power, beyond the reach of human thought, 
Revolves the orbs of empire ; bids them sink 
Deep in the dead'ning night of thy displeasure, 
Or rise majestic o'er a wondering world. 

Thomson, 

Some dispensations and turns of Divine provi- 
dence may be compared to the main-spring or capi- 
tal wheels of a watch, which have a more visible, 
sensible, and determining influence upon the whole 
tenor of our lives; but the more ordinary occur- 
rences of every day are at least pins and pivots, ad- 
justed, timed, and suited with equal accuracy, by 
the hand of the same great Artist who planned and 
executes the whole; and we are sometimes sur- 
prised to see how much more depends and turns 
upon them than we are aware of. Then we admire 
his skill, and say he has done all things well. 

John Newton. 
proverbs. 

For a web begun God sends thread. 

Even in small things there is great providence. 

Heaven deigns to suit our trials to our strength. 

If God bolts the door do not get through the 
window. 

The protection which we have is protection in, 
and not protection from, strife and danger. 



238 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



CXVIII. 
PUNISHMENT. 

BIBIvE. 

But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not 
do all these commandments ; and if ye shall despise 
my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, 
so that ye will not do all my commandments, but 
that ye break my covenant : I also will do this unto 
you ; I will even appoint over you terror, consump- 
tion, and the burning ague, that shall consume the 
eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow 
your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be 
slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall 
reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pur- 
sueth you. And if ye will not yet for all this 
hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times 
more for your sins. And I will break the pride of 
your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, 
and your earth as brass : and your strength shall be 
spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her in- 
crease, neither shall the trees of the land yield their 
fruits. And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will 
not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times more 
plagues upon you according to your sins. I will 
also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob 
you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and 
make you few in number ; and your highways shall 
be desolate. And if ye will not be reformed by me 
by these things, but will walk contrary unto me, 
then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will 
punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I 
will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the 
quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered 



RELIGION. 239 

together within your cities I will send the pesti- 
lence among you ; and ye shall be delivered into the 
hand of the enemy. — Lev. xxvi : 14-25. 

LITERATURE. 

Let rules be fix'd that may our rage contain, 
And punish faults with a proportion^ pain; 
And do not flay him who deserves alone 
A whipping for the fault that he has done. 

Horace. 

Every example of punishment has in it some 
tincture of injustice, but the sufferings of individuals 
are compensated by the promotion of the public 
good. Tacitus. 

The seeds of our punishment are sown at the 
same time we commit sin. Hesiod. 

proverbs. 

Men punish the action, God the intention. 

Many are without punishment ; none without sin. 

It is less to suffer punishment than to deserve it. 

The object of punishment is the prevention of 
evil. 

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 
make instruments to scourge us. 



CXIX. 

RELIGION. 

BIBLE. 

If any man among you seem to be religious, and 
bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, 
this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and un- 
defiled before God and the Father is this, to visit 



240 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to 
keep himself unspotted from the world. — James iii : 
26-27. 

LITERATURE. 

What! feed a child's body, and let his soul 
hunger ? pamper his limbs, and starve his faculties ? 

What! plant the earth, cover a thousand hills 
with your droves of cattle, pursue the fish to their 
hiding-places in the sea, and spread out your wheat- 
fields across the plain, in order to supply the wants 
of that body, which will soon be as cold and as sense- 
less as the poorest clod, and let the pure spiritual 
essence within you, with all its glorious capacities 
for improvement, languish and pine? 

What! build factories, turn in rivers upon the 
water-wheels, unchain the imprisoned spirits of 
steam, to weave a garment for the body, and let the 
soul remain unadorned and naked? 

What! send out your vessels to the farthest 
ocean, and make battle with the monsters of the 
deep, in order to obtain the means of lighting up 
your dwellings and workshops, and prolonging the 
hours of labor for the meat that perisheth, and per- 
mit that vital spark, which God has kindled, which 
he has intrusted to our care, to be fanned into a 
bright and heavenly flame — permit it, I say, to lan- 
guish and go out? Everett, 

Men do not refuse to cross the ocean because of 
storms; or to travel by rail because of accidents; 
or to enter into business because of losses; or to 
fight in the battlefield because of cannon, sword, 
deaths ; or to study science and philosophy because 
of mysteries; nor should men object to the study 
and practice of religion because of the various diffi- 
culties which may stand connected with it. Bate. 

Unless your religion changes you, makes you 



RESTITUTION. 241 

honest in business, pious behind counters, temperate 
at dinner tables, loyal to your country, affectionate 
to your family, neighborly in your community, con- 
scientious at the ballot box, patient in affliction, 
humble, cheerful, hopeful everywhere and always; 
unless it links you in brotherhood with the poorest 
of God's children; unless it leads you on errands of 
mercy to hovels and hospitals and prisons, as well 
as to sacramental boards and cushioned pews; un- 
less you live Christ on week days as well as wor- 
ship Him on Sabbath days, then we had better take a 
look into our religious life and see if it will stand 
the judgment of the Lord Jesus. Selected. 

proverbs. 

It is an excellent armor, but a bad cloak. 

Religion is not so much a pursuit as a temper. 

Holiness is religious principle put into action. 

None but God can satisfy the longings of an 
immortal soul. 

Religion presents few difficulties to the humble, 
many to the proud, insuperable ones to the vain. 



cxx. 

RESTITUTION. 

BIBIvE. 

If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the 
Lord, and lie unto his neighbor in that which was 
delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing 
taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neigh- 
bor. Or have found that which was lost and lieth 
concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all 
these that a man doeth, sinning therein ; then it shall 
be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he 



242 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

shall restore that which he took violently away, or 
the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that 
which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing 
which he found. Or all that about which he hath 
sworn falsely ; he shall even restore it in the princi- 
pal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and 
give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day 
of his trespass-offering. — Lev. vi:2-5. 

And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; 
beast for beast. — Lev. xxiv:i8. 

And Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, 
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the 
poor: and if I have taken anything from any man 
by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. — Luke 
xix : 8. 

LITERATURE. 

If we do not restore that which we have injuri- 
ously detained from another, our repentance is not 
real, but feigned and hypocritical. St. Augustine. 

As a gentleman in London entered his house he 
found a w/ell-dressed female sitting on the stairs, 
who asked pardon for the liberty she had taken, 
saying that hearing the alarm of a mad dog she had 
taken refuge in his house. On hearing her story 
he gave her some refreshment, and she left, thank- 
ing him for his civility. In the evening his lady 
missed her gold watch, and it was concluded the 
female was the thief. Fifteen years afterwards the 
watch was returned, with a note from this woman, 
saying the Gospel had changed her heart, and she 
desired to return the watch to its rightful owner. 

proverbs. 

Zacchaeus said : * * * "If I have taken anything 
from any man by false accusation, I restore him 
fourfold. — Luke xix : 8. 



RICHES. 243 

Restoring anything to its rightful owner, or 
doing an equivalent for loss or injury, is a pre- 
requisite to forgiveness. 

He shall restore that which he took away, or the 
thing which he has deceitfully gotten, or which was 
delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he 
found. — Lev. vi : 4. 



CXXL 

RICHES. 

BIBIX 

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The 
ground of a certain rich man brought forth plenti- 
fully : and he thought within himself, saying, What 
shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow 
my fruits ? And he said, This will I do : I will pull 
down my barns, and build greater; and there will 
I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will 
say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up 
for many years ; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be 
merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this 
night thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose 
shall those things be, which thou hast provided ? So 
is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not 
rich toward God. — Luke xii: 16-21. 

LITERATURE. 

You want to double your riches, and without 
gambling or stock- jobbing. Share it. Whether it 
be material or intellectual, its rapid increase will 
amaze you. 

What would the sun have been had he folded 
himself up in darkness? Surely he would have 
gone out. So would Socrates, This road to 



244 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

wealth seems to have been discovered some three 
thousand years ago; at least, it was known to 
Hesiod, and has been recommended by him in the 
one precious line he has left us. But even he com- 
plains of the fools, who did not know that half is 
more than the whole. 

And ever since, though mankind have always 
been in full chase after riches, though they have not 
feared to follow Columbus and Gama in chase of it, 
though they have waded through blood, and crept 
through falsehood, and trampled on their own 
hearts, and been ready to ride on a broomstick, in 
chase of it, very few have ever taken the road, albeit 
the easiest, the shortest, and the surest. Hare. 

proverbs. 

God help the rich; the poor can beg. 

Riches are abused, but never refused. 

He is a good man who is a man of goods. 

Riches serve a wise man, but command a fool. 

Wealth is not his who gets it, but his who en- 
joys it. 

He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be in- 
nocent. 

To become wealthy, makes us neither wise nor 
healthy. 

The rich devour the poor, and the devil devours 
the rich. 

Who wtould be rich must keep his conscience in 
his cash-box. 

There are but two families in the world, the 
haves and the have-nots. 

> Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small> 
they pinch ; if too large, we stumble. 



SABBATH. 245 



CXXIL 

SABBATH. 

bible. 

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, 
and all the host of them. And on the seventh day 
God ended his work which he had made: and he 
rested on the seventh day from all his work which 
he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, 
and sanctified it, because that in it he had rested 
from all his work which God created and made. — 
Gen. ii: 1-3. 

Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son 
of man that layeth hold on it ; that keepeth the sab- 
bath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from 
doing any evil. For thus saith the Lord unto the 
Eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the 
things that please me, and take hold of my covenant : 
even unto them will I give in mine house and within 
my walls a place and a name better than of sons and 
of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name 
that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the 
stranger that join themselves to the Lord to serve 
him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his 
servants, everyone that keepeth the sabbath from 
polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant. Even 
them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make 
them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt- 
offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon 
mine altar ; for mine house shall be called, An house 
of Prayer for all people. — Isa. lvi :2, 4-7. 

LITERATURE. 

Sunday, that day so tedious to the triflers of 
earth, so full of beautiful reposes of calmness and 



246 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

strength for the earnest and heavenly-minded. 

Maria /. Mcintosh, 
Life and blessing will attend the man who ob- 
serves the Sabbath. The Sabbath of rest is a con- 
tinual lesson to him to' turn his eye from all 
created objects, and look to that heavenly rest 
into which God is entered, and which is promised 
to man. /. Milner. 

Yes, child of suffering, thou mayest well be sure, 
He who ordained the Sabbath loves the poor ! 

Lowell. 
How still the morning of the hallow'd day ! 
Mute is the voice of rural labor, hush'd 
The ploughboy's whistle, and the milkmaid's song. 

Grahame. 
proverbs. 
A holiday Sabbath is the ally of despotism. 
A corruption of morals usually succeeds the pro- 
fanation of the Sabbath. 

He who would prepare for heaven must observe 
the sanctity of the Lord's Day. 



CXXIII. 
SHEPHERD, THE. 

BIBLE. 

The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want. He 
maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth 
me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul : he 
leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his 
name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the val- 
ley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for 
thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort 
me. Thou preparest a table before me in the pres- 
ence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with 



THE SHEPHERD. 247 

oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and 
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and 
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. — Psa. 
xxiii. 

I am the Good Shepherd : the good shepherd giv- 
eth his life for the sheep. As the father knoweth 
me, even so know I the father: I lay down my life 
for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are 
not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they 
shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, 
and one shepherd. — St. John x: 15, 16. 

UTERATURE. 

Many adventures with wild beasts still occur. 
There are wolves in abundance, and leopards and 
panthers exceedingly fierce prowl about those wild 
wadies in the region of Tyre. They not unfre- 
quently attack the flock in the very presence of the 
shepherd, and he must be ready to do battle at a 
moment's warning. And when the thief and rob- 
ber come (and come they do) the faithful shepherd 
has often put his life in his hand to defend his 
flock. A poor, faithful fellow, between Tiberius 
and Tabor, instead of fleeing, actually fought three 
Bedouin robbers until he was hacked to pieces with 
their khaujars, and died among the sheep he was 
defending. Thompson. 

proverbs. 

All w'e, like sheep, have gone astray. 

The first shepherd was the first martyr. 

The Good Shepherd knoweth the sheep. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

Sheep are the first animals mentioned in the 
Bible. 

The lamb is the emblem of innocence. Christ 
is the lamb of God. 



248 GEMS OF WISDOM. 



CXXIV. 
SLACKNESS. 

BIBLE. 

And repayeth them that hate him to their face, 
to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that 
hateth him, he will repay him to his face. — Deut. vii : 
10. 

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy 
God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it : for the Lord 
thy God will surely require it of thee ; and it would 
be sin in thee. — Deut. xxiii:2i. 

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack 
hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. — 
Prov. x 4. 

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear 
thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 
— Zeph. iii:i6. 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as 
some men count slackness ; but is long-suffering to 
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that 
all should come to repentance. — II Pet. iii :g. 

LITERATURE. 

Thompson wrote a poem, entitled "Castle of 
Indolence." He locates the castle in a dreamy land, 
where every sense is steeped in the most luxurious 
though enervating delight. 

The lord of the castle was a powerful enchanter, 
who, by his arts, enticed thoughtless travelers within 
the gate, that he might destroy their strength and 
ruin their hopes by a ceaseless round of voluptuous 
pleasure. 

It is said Thompson was so excessively lazy 



SLEEP. 249 

that he is recorded to have been seen standing at a 
peach tree, with both his hands in his pockets, eating 
the fruit as it grew. 

At another time, being discovered in bed at a 
very late hour of the day, when he was asked why 
he did not rise, his answer was, "Troth, mon, I see 
nae motive for rising." Percy. 

PROVERBS. 

It has smothered many virtues. 

It is a torpidity of the mental faculties. 

It wears out the body and consumes the mind. 

It never aimed at the attainment of a good wish. 

Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor 
wears. 

Sloth is the beginning of vice and the harbinger 
of poverty. 

cxxv. 

SLEEP. 

BIBLE. 

I laid me down and slept, I awaked ; for the Lord 
sustained me. — Psa. iii 15. 

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for 
thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. — Psa. 
iv:8. 

The stout-hearted are spoiled, they have slept 
their sleep; and none of the men of might have 
found their hands. — Psa. lxxvi:5. 

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid ; 
yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be 
sweet. — Prov. iii 124. 

LITERATURE. 

Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care ; 
The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath, 



250 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Balm of hurt minds, great Nature's second course, 
Chief nourisher in life's feast. Shakespeare. 

Sleep is no servant of the will ; 

It has caprices of its own : 
When courted most it lingers still; 

When most pursued, 'tis swiftly gone. 

Sir J. Bowring. 

Sleep, thou repose of all things ; sleep, thou 
gentlest of the deities ; thou peace of the mind, from 
which care flies ; who dost soothe the hearts of men 
wearied with the toils of the day, and refittest them 
for labor. Ovid. 

Now blessings light on him that first invented 
sleep ; it covers a man all over, thoughts and all, like 
a cloak; it is meat for the hungry, drink for the 
thirsty, heat for the cold, and cold for the hot. 

Cervantes. 

Man's rich restorative; his balmy bath, 
That supplies, lubricates, and keeps in play 
The various movements of this nice machine, 
Which asks such frequent periods of repair. 
When tir'd with vain rotations of the day, 
Sleeps winds us up for the succeeding dawn ; 
Fresh we spin on, till sickness clogs our wheels, 
Or death quite breaks the spring, and motion ends. 

Young. 
proverbs. 

Death's counterfeit. 
Sleep is a sovereign physic. 
To the sick it is half health. 
We are all equals when asleep. 
The ante-chamber of the grave. 
Sleep, the foster mother of nature and pain's 
salve. 



SLOTHFUL. 251 

One hour's sleep before midnight is worth two 
after. 

Downy sleep, life's nurse, sent to us from heaven 
to renew us daily. 

It knits up the ravelled sleeve of care, tired na- 
ture's sweet restorer. 

Sleep is death's younger brother, and so like him 
that I never dare trust him without my prayers. 

Sleep, the death of each day's life, sore labor's 
bath, balm of hurt minds, great nature's second 
course, chief nourisher in life's feast. 



CXXVI. 
SLOTHFUL. 

BIBIvE. 

And they said, Arise, that we may go up against 
them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is 
very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, 
and to enter to possess the land. — Judges xviii :g. 

The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of 
thorns : but the way of the righteous is made plain. 
— Prov. xv:i9. 

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his 
hands refuse to labour. — Prov. xxi : 25. 

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the 
way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth 
upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. — 
Prov. xxvi:i3, 14. 

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an 
idle soul shall suffer hunger. — Prov. xix:i5. 

By much slothfulness the building decayeth ; and 
through idleness of the hands the house droppeth 
through. — Eccl. x:i8. 



252 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule : but the 
slothful shall be under tribute. — Prov. xii : 24. 

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to 
him that is a great waster. — Prov. xviii :g. 

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them 
who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 
— Heb. vi:i2. 

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou 
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I 
reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have 
not strewed. — Matt, xxv : 26. 

Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit : serv- 
ing the Lord. — Rom. xii: 11. 

LITERATURE. 

That destructive siren sloth is ever to be avoided. 

Horace. 

Sloth is the torpidity of the mental faculties ; the 
sluggard is a living insensible. Zimmerman. 

Sloth is an inlet to disorder, and makes way for 
licentiousness. People that have nothing to do are 
quickly tired of their own company. Jeremy Collier. 

proverbs. 

Sloth is the mother of poverty. 
A slothful man never has time. 
The slothful man saith: "There is a lion with- 
out; I shall be slain in the streets." 



CXXVII. 

SNARES. 

BIBLE. 

Know for a certainty that the Lord your God 



SNARES. 253 

will no more drive out any of these nations from be- 
fore you; but they shall be snares and traps unto 
you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your 
eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which 
the Lord your God hath given you. — Josh. xxiii:i3. 

Therefore snares are round about thee, and sud- 
den fear troubleth thee. — Job xxii:io. 

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and 
brimstone, and a horrible tempest; this shall be the 
portion of their cup. — Psa. xi:6. 

The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I 
erred not from thy precepts. — Psa. cxixino. 

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, 
then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein 
I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. — 
Psa. cxlii:3 

Thorns and snares are in the way of the f roward : 
he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. — 
Prov. xxii:5. 

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and 
a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, 
which drown men in destruction and perdition. — I 
Tim. vi:9. 

LITERATURE. 

There were some young cavaliers in Pompey's 
army who were exceedingly proud of the beauty 
of their appearance. Caesar's generals, perceiving 
this, gave orders that, instead of aiming at their 
legs and thighs, the javelins should be directed at 
their faces, so that they might be deprived of sight. 
This was the very thing they wished to avoid. They 
could not bear the thought of returning to their 
homes with deformed features, and, when they saw 
the gleaming steel dazzling before their eyes, they 
covered their faces with their hands, turned away 



254 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

their heads, and fled in confusion and infamy from 
the field. Just that point where we least expect 
and can least afford to be attacked, and about which 
we manifest the most pride, Satan will try to reach, 
that he may not only wound us, but, if possible, also 
disfigure our character. Anon. 

proverbs. 

¥ You can't catch old birds with chaff. 

Can a bird fall into a snare where there is no 
gin? 

The fox is very cunning; but he is more cun- 
ning who snares him. 

Gin entangleth a man's head and his heels; 
hence it is sometimes called "tangle- foot." 

The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso 
putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. 



CXXVIIL 
SOWER, PARABLE OF. 

BIBI^. 

And he spake many things unto them in parables, 
saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and 
when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and 
the fowls came and devoured them up: some fell 
upon stony places, where they had not much earth ; 
and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no 
deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they 
were scorched; and because they had no root, they 
withered away. And some fell among thorns ; and 
the thorns sprung up, and choked them: but other 
fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some 
a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 



PARABLE OF SOWER. 255 

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 
When anyone heareth the word of the king- 
dom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the 
wicked one, and catcheth away that which was 
sown in his heart. This is he which received 
seed by the way side. But he that received 
the seed into stony places, the same is he that hear- 
eth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet 
hath he not root in himself, but dureth for awhile: 
for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because 
of the word, by and by he is offended. He also 
that received seed among the thorns is he that hear- 
eth the word; and the care of this world, and the 
deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he be- 
cometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into 
the good ground is he that heareth the word, and 
understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and 
bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, 
some thirty. — Matt, xiii \yg, 18-23. 

literature. 

A gentleman visiting at the house of a farmer 
saw him scattering grain broadcast upon his field, 
and asked, "What are you sowing ?" "Wheat," 
was the answer. "And what do you expect to reap 
from it?" "Why, wheat, of course," said the 
farmer. The same day some little thing provoked 
the farmer, and he flew into a violent passion, and, 
forgetting, in his excitement, the presence of his 
guest, swore most profanely. The gentleman said, 
"And what are you sowing now?" A new light 
at once flashed upon the farmer from the question 
of the morning. "What!" he said, in a subdued 
and thoughtful tone, "do you take such serious 
views of every mood, and word, and action?" 
"Yes," was the reply; "for every mood helps to 
form the permanent temper, and for every word 



256 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

we must give account; and every act but helps to 
form a habit; and habits are to the soul what the 
veins and arteries are to the blood — the courses in 
which it moves, and will move forever. By all 
these little things we are forming character, and 
that character will go with us to eternity, and ac- 
cording to it will be our destiny forever." 

proverbs. 

He that sows tares will reap tares. 

He that sows wild oats will reap wild oats. 

Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. 

Those that sow injustice will reap hate and 
vengeance. 

Sow none but good seed and you will not be dis- 
appointed in the harvest. 

CXXIX. 
STABILITY. 

BIBLE. 

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who 
shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh up- 
rightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh 
the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with 
his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor tak- 
eth up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose 
eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth 
them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his 
own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not 
out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against 
the innocent. He that doeth these things shall 
never be moved. — Psa. xv. 

LITERATURE. 

That profound firmness which enables a man to 



STARS. 257 

regard difficulties but as evils to be surmounted, no 
matter what shape they may assume. Cockton. 

Firmness, both in sufferance and exertion, is a 
character which I would wish to possess. I have 
always despised the whining yelp of complaint, and 
the cowardly, feeble resolve. Burns. 

Steadfastness is a noble quality, but, unguided 
by knowledge or humility, it becomes rashness. 

Schwartz. 
proverbs. 

He who does not tire, tires adversity. 

Thou shalt be steadfast and shalt not fear. 

Boldness in business is the first, second and third 
thing. 

Screw your courage to the sticking place and 
you will not fail. 

Resolve to perform what you ought; perform 
without fail what you resolve. 

None sends his arrow to the mark in view 
whose hand is feeble or his aim untrue. 

cxxx. 

STARS. 

BIBM. 

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, 
and sealeth up the stars; which maketh Arcturus, 
Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. 
—Job ix:7,9. 

By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens ; his 
hand hath formed the crooked serpent. — Job xxvi: 
13. 

Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his sea- 
son? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? 



258 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven ? canst thou 
set the dominion thereof in the earth ? — Job xxxviii : 

32-33- 

He telleth the number of the stars: he calleth 
them all by their names. — Psa. cxlvii 14. 

When they had heard the king they departed; 
and, lo, the star which they saw in the east went 
before them, till it came and stood over where the 
young child was. When they saw the star, they 
rejoiced with exceeding great joy. — Matt, ii 19-10. 

UTERATURE). 

A star is beautiful ; it affords pleasure, not from 
what it is to do or to give, but simply by being what 
it is. It befits the heavens; it has congruity with 
the mighty space in which it dwells. It has re- 
pose; no force disturbs its eternal peace. It has 
freedom ; no obstruction lies between it and infinity. 

Carlyle. 
The stars hang bright above, 
Silent, as if they watch'd the sleeping earth. 

Coleridge. 

Those gold candles fix'd in heaven's air. 

Shakespeare. 
What are ye, orbs? 
The words of God ? the scriptures of the skies ? 

Bailey. 

Numerous as glittering gems of morning dew, 
Or sparks from populous cities in a blaze, 
And set the bosom of old night on fire. 

Dr. Young. 

PROVERBS. 

I am the bright and morning star. 
It was a star that led the Wise men to Bethle- 
hem. 



SUPERIORITY OF MAN. 259 

As are the beautiful stars of night, so the 
beautiful deeds of a good man amongst his fellow- 
men. 

And they that be wise shall shine as the bright- 
ness of the firmament, and they that turn many to 
righteousness as the stars forever and forever. 

CXXXI. 
SUPERIORITY OF MAN. 

BIBLE. 

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in 
all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the 
heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings 
hast thou ordained strength because of thine ene- 
mies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the 
avenger. 

When I consider thy heavens, the work of 
thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou 
hast ordained ; What is man, that thou art mindful 
of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him ? 
For thou hast made him a little lower than the an- 
gels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works 
of thy hands ; thou hast put all things under his feet : 
all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field ; 
the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and what- 
soever passeth through the paths of the seas. O 
Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the 
earth! — Psa. viii. 

LITERATURE. 

What a piece of work is man! How noble in 
reason ; how infinite in faculties ; in form and mov- 
ing, how express and admirable! In action, how 
like an angel; in apprehension, how like a god; the 



26o GEMS OF WISDOM. 

beauty of the world — the paragon of animals ! And 
yet to me what is this quintessence of dust ? 

Shakespeare. 

How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, 

How complicate, how wonderful, is man! 

How passing wonder He, who made him such ! 

Who centered in our make such strange extremes ! 

From different natures marvellously mixt, 

Connexion exquisite of distant worlds ! 

Distinguisht link in Being's endless chain! 

Midway from nothing to the Deity ! Young. 

It is a painful fact, but there is no denying it, 
the mass are the tools of circumstances ; thistle-down 
on the breeze, straw on the river, their course is 
shaped for them by the currents and eddies of the 
stream of life; but only in proportion as they are 
things, not men and women. Man was meant to 
be not the slave, but the master, of circumstances, 
and in proportion as he recovers his humanity, in 
every sense of the great obsolete word — in propor- 
tion as he gets back the spirit of manliness, which 
is self-sacrifice, affection, loyalty to an idea beyond 
himself, a God above himself, so far will he rise 
above circumstances, and wield them at his will. 

Kingsley. 

They that deny a God, destroy man's nobility, 

for certainly man is of kin to the beasts by his body ; 

and if he be not of kin to God by His spirit, he is 

an ignoble creature. Bacon. 

proverbs. 

Man is a two-legged animal without feathers. 

Man has been called a laughing animal, a cook- 
ing animal, an animal with thumbs, a lazy animaL 

A traveled Frenchman, being asked to name one 
characteristic of all the races he had visited, replied, 
"Lazy." 



TONGUE. 261 

A tool-making animal, a cultivating animal, a 
poetical animal. 

Man is a dupable animal. Quacks in medicine, 
quacks in religion, and quacks in politics, know this, 
and act upon that knowledge. There is scarcely 
any one who may not, like a trout, be "taken by 
tickling." 

Man is an animal that makes bargains. No other 
animal does this : no dog exchanges bones with an- 
other. 

CXXXII. 
TONGUE. 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from 
speaking guile. — Psa. xxxiv: 13. 

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin 
not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a 
bridle, while the wicked is before me. — Psa. 
xxxix: 1. 

The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the 
heart of the wicked is little worth. — Prov. x :20. 

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright : 
but 1 the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. — 
Prov. xv :2. 

He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: 
and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mis- 
chief. — Prov. xvii:20. 

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keep- 
eth his soul from troubles. — Prov. XXK23. 

If any man among you seem to be religious, and 
bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, 
this man's religion is vain. — Jas. i:26. 

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boast- 



262 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

eth great things. Behold, how great a matter a lit- 
tle fire kindleth ! And the tongue is a fire, a world 
of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, 
that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire 
the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of ser- 
pents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath 
been tamed of mankind : but the tongue can no man 
tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and 
therewith curse we men, which are made after the 
similitude of God. — Jas. iii : 5-9. 

- My little children, let us not love in word, neither 
in tongue; but in deed and in truth. — I John iii: 18. 

LITERATURE. 

If any man think it a small matter, or of mean 
concernment, to bridle his tongue, he is much mis- 
taken ; for it is a point to be silent when occasion re- 
quires, and better than to speak, though never so 
well. Plutarch. 

Give not thy tongue too great a liberty, lest it 
take thee prisoner. A word unspoken is like the 
sword in the scabbard, thine; if vented, thy sword 
is in another's hand. If thou desire to be held wise, 
be so wise as to hold thy tongue. Quarles. 

The tongue of a fool is the key of his counsel, 
which, in a wise man, wisdom hath in keeping. 

Socrates. 

By examining the tongue of a patient, physi- 
cians find out the diseases of the body, and philoso- 
phers the diseases of the mind. Justin. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. 

Job. 

Restrain thy mind, and let mildness ever attend 
thy tongue. Theognis. 



USEFULNESS. 263 

PROVERBS. 

The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts. 
The fool shineth no longer than he holdeth his 
tongue. 

If wisdom's ways you wisely seek, five things ob- 
serve with care : 

Of whom you speak, to whom you speak, and how, 
and when, and where. 
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keep- 

eth his soul from troubles. 



CXXXIII. 
USEFULNESS. 

BIBI,E. 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: 
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make 
me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which 
thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from 
my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in 
me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit 
within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; 
and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore un- 
to me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with 
thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy 
ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. — 
Psa. li: 7-13. 

Ye are the salt of the earth : but if the salt have 
lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is 
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and 
to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light 
of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be 
hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it 
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth 



264 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

light unto all that are in the house. Let your light 
so shine before men, that they may see your good 
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 
—Matt, v: 13-16. 

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man 
dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto 
the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the 
Lord : whether we live therefore, or die, we are the 
Lord's. — Rom. xiv.7-8. 

UTERATUR3. 

How often do we sigh for opportunities of doing 
good, whilst we neglect the openings of Providence 
in little things, which would frequently lead to the 
accomplishment of most important usefulness ! Dr. 
Johnson used to say, "He who waits to do a great 
deal of good at once will never do any." Good is 
done in degrees. However small in proportion the 
benefits which follow individual attempts to do good, 
a great deal may thus be accomplished by perse- 
verance, even in the midst of discouragements and 
disappointments. Crabb. 

proverbs. 

Uselessness is unfitness to any end — worthless- 
ness. 

The most useful things are the most common 
things. 

Men and things are only valuable as they are 
useful. 

CXXXIV. 

WATCHFULNESS. 

BIBM. 

Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour 
your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the 



WATCHFULNESS. 265 

good man of the house had known in what watch 
the thief would come, he would have watched, and 
would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as 
ye think not the Son of man cometh. — Matt, xxiv: 
42-44. 

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far 
journey, who left his home, and gave authority to his 
servants and to every man his work, and commanded 
the porter to watch. Watch ye, therefore: for ye 
know not when the master of the house cometh ; at 
even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in 
the morning. Lest, coming suddenly, he find you 
sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, 
watch. — Mark xiii :34~37. 

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights 
burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait 
for their Lord, when he will return from the wed- 
ding ; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may 
open unto him immediately. Blessed are those ser- 
vants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find 
watching : verily, I say unto you, That he shall gird 
himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will 
come forth and serve them. And if he shall come 
in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and 
find them so, blessed are those servants. — Luke xii : 
35-38. 

literature:. 

When Pompeii was destroyed there were very 
many buried in the ruins of it who were afterwards 
found in very different situations. There were 
some found who were in the streets, as if they had 
been attempting to make their escape. There were 
some found in deep vaults, as if they had gone 
thither for security. There were some found in 
lofty chambers ; but where did they find the Roman 



266 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

sentinel? They found him standing at the city 
gate, with his hand still grasping the war weapon, 
where he had been placed by his captain. And 
there — while the heavens threatened him — there, 
while the earth shook beneath him — there, while 
the lava stream rolled, he had stood at his post, and 
there after a thousand years was he found. 

proverbs. 

Caution is the parent of safety. 

Don't descend into the well with a rotten rope. 
- An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wiL 

Zeal without prudence is like running in the 
night. 

A wise man takes a step at a time ; he establishes 
one foot before he takes up the other. 



cxxxv. 

WOE FOR TJIE WICKED. 

BIBI.3. 

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, 
and that write grievousness which they have pre- 
scribed : to turn aside the needy from judgment, and 
to take away the right from the poor of my people, 
that widows may be their prey, and that they may 
rob the fatherless ! And what will ye do in the day 
of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come 
from far ? to whom will ye flee for help ? and where 
will ye leave your glory? — Isa. x: 1-3. 

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good 
evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for dark- 
ness ; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter ! 
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and 
prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that 



WOE FOR THE WICKED. 267 

are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to 
mingle strong drink: which justify the wicked for 
reward, and take away the righteousness of the 
righteous from him ! Therefore as the fire devour- 
eth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, 
so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom 
shall go up as dust: because they have cast away 
the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word 
of the Holy One of Israel. — Isa. v : 20-30. 

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most 
of his mighty works were done, because they re- 
pented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto 
thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which 
were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, 
they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and 
ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more toler- 
able for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, 
than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art 
exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell : 
for if the mighty works, which have been done in 
thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have re- 
mained until this day. But I say unto you, That 
it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in 
the day of judgment, than for thee. — Luke xi: 
20-24. 

LITERATURE. 

Every man is treasuring up stores for eternity — 
the good are laying up treasures in heaven, where 
moth doth not corrupt; the evil and impenitent are 
"treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath." 
What an idea is this ! Treasures of wrath ! What- 
ever the impenitent man is doing he is treasuring up 
wrath. He may be getting wealth ; but he is treas- 
uring up wrath. He may be getting fame ; but he 
is treasuring up wrath. He may be forming pleas- 
ing connections ; but he is also treasuring up wrath : 



268 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

every day adds something to the heap. Every oath 
the swearer utters, there is something gone to the 
heap of wrath. Every lie the liar tells, every licen- 
tious act the lewd man commits, adds something to 
the treasure of wrath. 

The sinner has a weightier treasure of wrath to- 
day than he had yesterday ; he will have a weightier 
to-morrow than he has to-day. When he lies down 
at night he is richer in vengeance than when he 
arose in the morning. He is continually deepening 
and darkening his eternal portion. Every neg- 
lected Sabbath increases his store of wrath; every 
forgotten sermon adds something to the weight of 
punishment. All the checks of conscience, all the 
remonstrances of friends, all the advice and prayers 
of parents, will be taken into the account; and all 
will tend to increase the treasures of wrath laid up 
against the day of wrath. /. A. James. 

proverbs. 

Unkindness has no remedy at law. 

Man's woes come from his greatness. 

Let us at least live to deserve happiness. 

Perfect bliss is not the portion of mortal. 

It is the remembrance of lost joys that makes us 
miserable. 

How bitter it is to look at happiness through 
another man's eyes. 



CXXXVI. 

WISDOM GIVEN. 

BIBLE. 

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and 
said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And 



WISDOM GIVEN. 269 

Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great 
mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to 
reign in his stead. Now, O Lord God, let thy 
promise unto David my father be established; for 
thou hast made me king over a people like the dust 
of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom 
and knowledge, that I may go out and come in be- 
fore this people: for who can judge this thy people 
that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Be- 
cause this was in thine heart, and thou hast not 
asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine 
enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast 
asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou 
mayest judge my people, over whom I have made 
thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto 
thee: and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and 
honor, such as none of the kings have had that have 
been before thee, neither shall there any after thee 
have the like. — II Chron. K7-12. 

And God gave Solomon wisdom and under- 
standing exceeding much, and largeness of heart, 
even as the sand that is on the sea-shore. — I Kings 
iv :2g. 

And all the earth sought to Solomon to hear his 
wisdom, which God had put in his heart. — I Kings 
x: 24. 

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth 
cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth 
up sound wisdom for the righteous : he is a buckler 
to them that walk uprightly. — Prov. ii 16-7. 

literature:. 

Human wisdom is the aggregate of all human 
experience, constantly accumulating, and selecting, 
and reorganizing its own materials. Judge Story. 

Wisdom is the olive that springeth from the 



270 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

heart, bloometh on the tongue, and beareth fruit in 
the action. Grymestone. 

Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, 
Have oft-times no connection. Knowledge dwells 
In heads replete with thoughts of other men; 
Wisdom in minds attentive to their own. 
Knowledge, a rude, unprofitable mass, 
The mere materials with which Wisdom builds, 
Till smoothed and squared and fitted to its place, 
Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. 
Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much, 
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more. 

Cowper. 
Enjoy the blessings of this day, if God sends 
them, and the evils bear patiently and sweetly; for 
this day only is ours — we are dead to yesterday, and 
are not born to-morrow. Jeremy Taylor. 

Perfect wisdom hath four parts, viz., wisdom, 
the principle of doing things aright; justice, the 
principle of doing things equally in public and pri- 
vate; fortitude, the principle of not flying danger, 
but meeting it; and temperance, the principle of 
subduing desires and living moderately. Plato. 

The first point of wisdom is to discern that which 
is false, the second to know that which is true. 

Lactantius. 
Wisdom is the only thing which can relieve us 
from the sway of the passions and the fear of 
danger, and which can teach us to bear the injuries 
of fortune itself with moderation, and which shows 
us all the ways which lead to tranquillity and peace. 

Cicqro. 
proverbs. 

Fools are the wise man's ladder. 
The price of wisdom is above rubies. 



A CALL TO YOUTH. 271 

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. 

Reason governs a wise man and cudgels a fool. 

Learning is not wisdom any more than cloth is 
clothes. 

* A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of 
learning. 

If you do not hear Reason, she will rap your 
knuckles. 

Better be wise and look simple than look wise 
and be simple. 

He who does not become handsome before 
twenty, strong before thirty, wise before forty, and 
rich before fifty, on such a man good victuals are 
lost. 

CXXXVII. 

YOUTH— A CALL TO. 

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy 
youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years 
draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleas- 
ure in them ; while the sun, or the light, or the moon, 
or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return 
after the rain: in the day when the keepers of the 
house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow 
themselves, and the grinders cease because they are 
few, and those that look out of the windows be 
darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, 
when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall 
rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters 
of music shall be brought low ; also when they shall 
be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be 
in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and 
the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall 
fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the 
mourners go about the streets: or ever the silver 



272 GEMS OF WISDOM. 

cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the 
pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel 
broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return 
to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return 
unto God who gave it. — Eccl. xii: 1-7. 

LITERATURE. 

"Gather up my influence, and bury it with me," 
exclaimed a youth, whose unforgiven spirit was 
sinking into the invisible world. Idle request ! Had 
he begged his friends to bind the free winds, to chain 
the wild waves, to grasp the fierce lightning, or to 
make a path for the sand-blast, his wish would have 
been more possible; for past influence is unchange- 
able, and can never be recalled. Dr. Wise. 

No matter how good the walls and the materials 
are, if the foundations are not strong, the building 
will not stand. By and by, in some upper room, a 
crack will appear; and men will say, "There is the 
crack; but the cause is in the foundation." So if, 
in youth, you lay the foundations of your character 
wrongly, the penalty will be sure to follow. The 
crack may be far down in old age ; but somewhere 
it will certainly appear. Beecher. 

proverbs. 

- Reckless youth makes rueful age. 

Youth and white paper readily receive impres- 
sions. 

In youth passion succeeds to passion and frets 
the soul to repose. 

Young men soon forget and forgive affronts, old 
age is slow in both. 

Young people are generally what they are made 
by education and company between the ages of fif- 
teen and twenty-five. 



MAY 2 1904 



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